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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.
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago"There cannot be too many links in a single food chain because the animals at the end of the chain would not get enough food (and hence energy) to stay alive." From Vtaide (Science Website)
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Why are there only a few food chains in a food chain?
because there is not that many animals that eat other animals.
Why are there only a few 'chains' in a food chain?
because there is not that many animals that eat other animals.
Why are there a few chains in a food chain?
because there is not that many animals that eat other animals.
Why are there only a few food 'chains' in a food chains?
because there is not that many animals that eat other animals.
Why are there only a few chains in a food chains?
because there is not that many animals that eat other animals.
Why do food chains rarely consist of more than a few types of organisms?
This happens because the quantity of energy available in the organisms as food to the next trophic level decreases as you move through the food chain. For example, there may be 1000 Calories of food available if you eat the grass in a section of meadow, but only about 100 Calories in the grasshoppers in that section of meadow. That may not be enough food to support the things that eat grasshoppers, and so on. This limits the length and diversity of food chains. The longest and most complex food chains are in the open ocean!
Why does a food web tell more about an ecosystem than a food chain does?
because a food chain only shows one way energy could flow, while a food web shows multiple ways. For example, a food chain might say: grass-mouse-hawk. but it could also say: grass-mouse-snake-hawk. Or even: grass-mouse-weasel-hawk. However, a food web might show all of these.
What is the difference between a food web a food chain and a biomass?
the difference between the food chain and the food web is the food chain is the linear transfer of energy from one organism to the next. And the food web is the complex interconnecting food chains in a community.
Why are the levels of a food chain called trophic level?
because when the food chains goes up into the top it decreases the food or its simply when A large amount of producers at the base of the pyramid will be needed to support only a few of the consumers at the top and it called trophic level because when the food chain goes to another level it called survival of the fittest..
How are food chains formed?
food chains actually starts at the sun. the sun gives light to plants and they grow. herbivore or omnivoress eat these plants. carnivores or omnivores eat these plant eaters. all of this ends up with humans on top of the food chain. we eat everything and some eat us.
What type of marine life is the main source of food for larger marine life?
Well the staple of the food chain would be plankton. Remember a producer is the base of all food chains. Except in a few rare cases, such as deep sea vents and caves with no light.
When considering the transfer of energy how does being at the top of the food chain affect an organism?
The top of the food chain has very little energy in the form of food to take in. There may be only a very few top predators in some energy poor systems.
