To determine which claim is supported by the data, let's analyze the energy levels at each trophic level and match them to the given populations.
1. Identify the energy levels corresponding to each trophic level:
- First trophic level (producers): Usually, this level has the highest energy because it includes green plants that produce energy through photosynthesis. Here, green plants have an energy level of 100,000 kcal.
- Second trophic level (primary consumers): This level typically consists of herbivores that consume producers. Here, snails have an energy level of 10,000 kcal.
- Third trophic level (secondary consumers): This level includes carnivores that consume herbivores. Here, blackbirds have an energy level of 1,000 kcal.
- Fourth trophic level (tertiary consumers): This level includes top predators that consume other carnivores. Here, hawks have an energy level of 100 kcal.
2. Match each trophic level with the corresponding organism based on energy levels:
- Green plants are in the first trophic level with 100,000 kcal.
- Snails are in the second trophic level with 10,000 kcal.
- Blackbirds are in the third trophic level with 1,000 kcal.
- Hawks are in the fourth trophic level with 100 kcal.
3. Evaluate the given claims:
- Claim A: "The first trophic level contains hawks." This is incorrect because the first trophic level contains green plants, not hawks.
- Claim B: "The second trophic level contains green plants." This is incorrect as green plants are primary producers in the first trophic level.
- Claim C: "The third trophic level contains blackbirds." This is correct, as blackbirds are identified as secondary consumers in the third trophic level with 1,000 kcal.
- Claim D: "The fourth trophic level contains snails." This is incorrect because snails are primary consumers in the second trophic level, not the fourth.
Therefore, the claim supported by the data is:
C. The third trophic level contains blackbirds.
