Question

question 5 of 10
why can a grassland ecosystem support more herbivores than a forest ecosystem can?
a. grass cannot store energy in its leaves.
b. the energy in trees is less available to herbivores.
c. trees store less energy from the sun than grass.
d. trees are eaten by secondary consumers.

Explanation:

• Option A: Grass can store energy in its leaves. So this option is incorrect.
• Option B: In a forest ecosystem, trees have a large amount of biomass in forms (like wood) that are not easily consumed by herbivores. In a grassland, most of the grass biomass (leaves, stems) is accessible to herbivores. So the energy in trees is less available to herbivores compared to grass in a grassland. This option is correct.
• Option C: Trees, being large plants, can store a significant amount of energy from the sun through photosynthesis. They do not store less energy than grass. This option is incorrect.
• Option D: Trees are mainly eaten by primary consumers (herbivores, like some large - sized herbivores that can feed on tree bark, leaves). Secondary consumers eat primary consumers. This option is incorrect.

Answer:

B. The energy in trees is less available to herbivores.