To determine the amount of energy present at the third trophic level, we need to understand the concept of energy transfer between trophic levels. Each transfer of energy from one trophic level to the next is only about 10% efficient. This means that only 10% of the energy from a given trophic level is transferred to the next level, while the remaining 90% is lost primarily as heat and through metabolic processes.
Given that:
- The producer (first trophic level) has 19,500 kcal of energy.
Here's a step-by-step calculation to determine the energy at the third trophic level:
1. Calculate the energy at the second trophic level:
- Energy available at the second trophic level = [tex]\( \text{Energy at first trophic level} \times 10\% \)[/tex]
- Energy at the second trophic level = [tex]\( 19500 \text{ kcal} \times 0.10 \)[/tex]
- Energy at the second trophic level = 1,950 kcal
2. Calculate the energy at the third trophic level:
- Energy available at the third trophic level = [tex]\( \text{Energy at second trophic level} \times 10\% \)[/tex]
- Energy at the third trophic level = [tex]\( 1950 \text{ kcal} \times 0.10 \)[/tex]
- Energy at the third trophic level = 195 kcal
So, the energy that can be expected at the third trophic level is 195 kcal.
