Question

which of the following best explains why terrestrial trophic pyramids usually do not have levels higher than tertiary consumers?
a tertiary consumers are the largest organisms in an ecosystem and require the most space to survive.
b plants can only perform photosynthesis during the day, so tertiary consumers cannot get enough energy from consuming plants.
c a large proportion of energy is lost as heat as it is transferred up the pyramid, so there is not enough energy available to support another level.
d tertiary consumers are often indicator species and are the first to be affected by environmental disturbances.

Explanation:

Energy transfer in trophic pyramids follows the 10 - 20% rule. As energy moves up the pyramid from one trophic level to the next, a large amount is lost as heat. By the time it reaches the tertiary consumers, there is insufficient energy to support another higher - level consumer.

Answer:

C. A large proportion of energy is lost as heat as it is transferred up the pyramid, so there is not enough energy available to support another level.