Question

Give reason why a food chain cannot have more than four trophic levels.​

Answer 1

Answer:

The food chain cannot have more than four trophic levels for energy conservation.

Explanation:

Generally, a Food chain has four trophic levels for energy conservation. Trophic levels are referred to as different positions in a chain transferring energy and matter to different levels. It begins with producers eaten up by primary consumers, which are eaten up by secondary consumers, and then tertiary consumers. But as the levels increase energy levels are lost. The producers have the higher energy content they then transport 1/4th of it which is because of decomposition and heat. As we reach the level of tertiary consumers they have the lowest energy. The energy level and biomass( total mass of organism) decrease as we go towards higher levels.

Answer 2

The limitation in energy availability is the reason why a food chain cannot have more than four trophic levels.

• The food chain consists of only four trophic levels.
• It comprises the producers, primary, secondary and tertiary consumers.
• The producers are the main source of energy for all other organisms.
• Producers are autotrophs, since they produce their own food, they have the maximum energy.
• Only around 10% of the energy of the producers is being transferred to the primary consumers.
• Only 0.1% of energy reaches the secondary consumers.
• Finally, only 0.001% of the energy reaches the highest trophic level which is the tertiary consumers.
• If there were more trophic levels, they will either receive very less or zero energy.
• This is the reason why the food chain cannot have more trophic levels.