Energy Models (pyramids)

The approximate amount of energy that is transferred between each trophic level is:

• 10%

• 0.1%

• 90%

• It totally depends on the ecosystem.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

This bear scat is an example of:

• decomposers

• detritus

• efficient energy use

• an imbalance in the ecosystem

The ecological pyramid that shows the number of organisms that were counted at each trophic level is called a pyramid of _______________

An ecological pyramid that shows the total dry mass of all the living material at each trophic level of an ecosystem is called a pyramid of __________

Which statements are true about a pyramid of energy?(check ALL that are correct)

• A pyramid of energy shows the the energy available at each trophic level

• shows that exactly 10% of energy is lost between each trophic level

• It is the one type of ecological pyramid that is always shaped like a pyramid.

• It must be drawn as a 3D model, never 2D

Consider the following food chain in the ocean:

phytoplankton --> zooplankton --> herring --> salmon

If the phytoplankton produce 40 000 000 kJ of energy per day, how much energy is available to the salmon?

• 400 000 kJ

• 40 000 kJ

• 4 000 000 kJ

• 4 000 kJ

The shark at the top of this pyramid is called a:

• producer

• primary consumer

• secondary consumer

• tertiary consumer

• quaternary consumer

Why are there generally a maximum of five trophic levels?

• It's far easier to draw a pyramid that way.

• Because energy is lost at each level, there isn't enough energy left to support any more consumers.

• Generally a top predator is so fierce it has no predators and therefore can rule the top trophic level without fear.

• There simply is not a word beyond quaternary.

• BTW the word after quaternary is quinary (always read all the options in multiple choice questions)

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

What are negative impacts of monocultures (cultivation of crops of a single species)? Check all that are correct.

• Decrease in biodiversity

• Decrease in the amount of nutrients in the soil

• Decrease in world hunger

• Decrease in water requirements

Scientific models like ecological pyramids are important because they allow scientists to make