Which of the Following Is Primarily Responsible for Limiting the Number

question 25

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is primarily responsible for limiting the number of trophic levels in most ecosystems?

• A) Many primary and higher-order consumers are opportunistic feeders.
• B) Decomposers compete with higher-order consumers for nutrients and energy.
• C) Nutrient cycles involve both abiotic and biotic components of ecosystems.
• D) Nutrient cycling rates tend to be limited by decomposition.
• E) Energy transfer between tropic levels is in almost all cases less than 20% efficient.

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