Question

trophic level 5 tuna (0.5) 4 mackerel (5) 3 herring (50) 2 zooplankton (500) 1 © 2016 w.p. armstrong decomposers are using up the energy between each trophic level. individual organisms at the upper trophic levels require less energy to survive than those at the lower ones. producers use most of the energy before it can reach the upper levels. some energy is lost as heat or not consumed by organisms at the next trophic level.

Explanation:

In an energy - pyramid of trophic levels, energy transfer is not 100% efficient. As energy moves up from one trophic level to the next, some is lost as heat during metabolic processes or is not consumed by the organisms at the next level. Decomposers act on dead organisms and waste but not directly on the energy transfer between live trophic levels. Organisms at higher trophic levels generally require more energy per individual to survive. Producers convert solar energy, but it's the inefficiency of energy transfer between levels that causes the pyramid shape, not producers using most energy before it reaches upper levels.

Answer:

Some energy is lost as heat or not consumed by organisms at the next trophic level.