Consider the Following Representation of the Biomass of a Forest

question 115

Multiple Choice

Consider the following representation of the biomass of a forest community. This diagram also correlates with the trophic structure of the community. The size of the rectangle represents the relative biomass at each trophic level. Based on the representation below, what conclusion can be drawn about the transfer of energy between the organisms in each trophic level?

• A)The transfer of energy is less than 100% between trophic levels, but the rectangles representing biomass should be larger, that is, there should be more herbivorous insects because the trophic level that includes trees is large enough that it should support more herbivorous insects.
• B)The transfer of energy is incomplete between trophic levels because insectivorous bats consume organisms from both trophic levels with insects.
• C)The transfer of energy is incomplete between trophic levels because trees lose most of their energy in the form of heat, so it is not available for higher trophic levels.
• D)The transfer of energy is incomplete between trophic levels because organisms consume some of the energy in metabolic processes and it therefore cannot be available for the higher trophic levels.
• E)The transfer of energy between each level looks like much more than 10%, therefore insects are especially efficient metabolizers of biomass.

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Definitions:

Stage Theories

Psychological theories that propose development occurs in distinct and sequential stages across the lifespan, each with specific characteristics and challenges.

Qualitative Changes

Transformations that alter the nature or essence of something, rather than just its quantity.

Cognition

The mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.

Incremental Models

Models or theories that suggest development or progress occurs in small, sequential steps.