0
Well, the only way to explain this is to think mathematically. At the bottom level are plants. Let's say they absorb about 10% of the Sun's energy to convert to food. Then animals that eat the plants get only 10% of that energy. Carnivores, the next level, get only 10% of that (which is 0.1% of the energy from the Sun). As you can see, the higher an organism's level in the food chain, the fewer can exist. If you had 10 lions and 10 deer, all the deer would be killed and eaten and the lions would starve before the deer could have any babies. This means that if you go beyond about 4 levels, it is unsustainable to any organisms. I hope this makes sense. :)
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Why do most food chains consist of no more than 3 or 4 levels?
During the progression of each stage, the organisms in the food chain exert tons of energy. Most chains are broken down to four stages for that reason.
Why is a food chain short?
Food chains are short because a lot of energy are expended at the trophic levels. Also it's because as we consider the many losses of energy such as heat and undigestable parts such as cellulose, hooves, and antlers. There aren't many energy to keep and pass on to the next level. Therefore, food chains contain usually 3-5 levels.
How many food chains are there total in the world?
food chains are generally short,most food chains have anywhere from 3 or 4 links.food chains are generally short,most food chains have anywhere from 3 or 4 links.4 types
What 3 things do all food chains need to begin?
water food and freindship
How long can a food chain be?
A food chain can only be up to 5 trophic levels in length, including the producer. Only a small proportion of the previous organism's energy is passed down through trophic levels to the next organism. This diminishes the energy available, so there is little or no energy to be gained after the 5th stage of a food chain. :)
Can i enter A college with only 3 AS LEVELS in canada?
In Canada there are many colleges a person can enter that will accept 3 AS levels. Most of the major colleges, however, will not accept only 3 AS levels.
Why do food chains have only 4 or 5 links?
Food chains can be seen in a energy pyramid. There are rarely more than three or more links since each predators are more dominant than others. This also means that particular of animals are barely been eaten from other predators. In addition, through the energy pyramid, the reason why is because 10% of it's energy in each trophic level is used and 90% of it is lost.
Why are there only a few chains in the food chain?
If you think about it, there can only be a few levels in the web and only a few in each level. The plants and other green organisms produce the food for the web. But they need to use some of the energy for growth and for reproduction. That leaves about 10% for the next level. That level also needs energy for growth and reproduction, so that leaves 1% for the third level. Since this works this way, each level is smaller and smaller. The number at each level competes for food with the others in that level. So there is only one type of hawk on the top level, for example. The larger number of producers (first level), the more species on the next levels. If the first level is low in numbers, there will be fewer in the levels above. Some poor ecosystems have only 3 levels. The very best have 5.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of food chains and food webs?
The main advantage of the food chain is that it is simple and easy to understand what organisms eat and ho the energy flows between them. It's very simple and usually only 3-4 chians long inrespect to a food web which shows a collection of the food chains linked together thus gives a broader and a fuller picture of the feeding relationships between organisms. The main limitation of a food chain compared to a foodweb is that the food chain only shows that a consumer only feeds on one type of prey but in the food web the consumer could on more than one prey. The main disadvantages of both the food chains and the food web is that the they both only possess qualitative information and dont show any quantitaive information thus you cannot know the number or the amount of mass or the energy stored within each trophic level.
Long chains of sugars are?
what are 3 long chains of sugars
What are the 3 retail chains for Bebe?
I think there are several factions of the store, but the only other one I remember is "2b."
Why does Canada have 3 levels of government?
Canada has 3 levels of government because if there was only one that one government could not do everything so the divided it into 3 levels of government so every level has there own jobs and responsibility's!
