The energy pyramid shows the flow of energy through a temperate forest ecosystem. Which trophic level has approximately 100 times more energy than the apex consumer level?

A. Apex Consumers

B. Tertiary Consumers

C. Secondary Consumers

D. Primary Consumers

E. Producers

Answer: The correct answer is-

C) Secondary Consumers.

According to the 10% rule of energy transfer, only 10 % of the energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next, remaining 90 % of the energy is utilized for various metabolic processes and released as heat in the surrounding.

Let us consider the amount of energy present at first trophic level (Producers is 10,000 kJ. As per 10% rule, the energy transfer to Primary Consumers will be 1000 kJ, which will transfer 100 kJ to Secondary Consumers.

In this way, Tertiary Consumers will get 10 kJ and finally apex consumers will get 1 kJ of energy.

Thus, Secondary Consumers have approximately 100 times more energy than the apex consumer level.

Secondary Consumers