Q. Consider the following statements concerning food chains (a) Removal of 80% tigers from an area resulted in greatly increased growth of vegetation (b) Removal of most of the carnivores resulted in an increased population of deers (c) The length of food chains is generally limited to 3-4 trophic levels due to energy loss (d) The length of food chains may vary from 2 to 8 trophic levels. Which two of the above statements are correct?
A) a, b
B) b, c
C) c, d
D) a, d
Explanation
[Solution from source] Removing predators lets herbivores like deer multiply, and because only about 10% of energy passes to each higher level, food chains are usually limited to 3-4 trophic levels. Removing tigers would reduce vegetation through overgrazing rather than increase it, and 8-level chains do not occur. Answer (2).
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker
Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist
Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.