Question

the amount of available energy changes between the trophic levels found in a food chain or energy pyramid. photos (left to right) by mehmet karatay, jens buurgaard nielsen, furryscaly, and walter siegmund how would the amount of available energy differ in the trophic level of the mouse compared to the trophic level the hawk? a. available energy would increase from the mouse to the hawk. b. available energy would decrease from the mouse to the hawk. c. available energy would initially increase from the mouse to the hawk, and then decrease over time. d. available energy would remain the same from the mouse to the hawk.

Explanation:

In a food - chain or energy pyramid, energy transfer between trophic levels follows the 10 - 20% rule. As we move up the trophic levels, energy decreases. The mouse is at a lower trophic level compared to the hawk. The hawk consumes the mouse and only about 10 - 20% of the mouse's energy is transferred to the hawk. So available energy decreases from the mouse to the hawk.

Answer:

b. Available energy would decrease from the mouse to the hawk.