In the ocean, why would there be a smaller biomass of large predators (for example, sharks and tuna) than of herbivorous animals (for example, some small fish and zooplankton)?
A) The ocean has too few hiding places for predators.
B) Energy transfer between trophic levels is inefficient.
C) Ocean herbivores have higher trophic efficiencies than land herbivores.
D) Ocean herbivores are better adapted to moving over large distances than ocean predators.
E) Predators have higher reproductive rates than herbivores.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Energy transfer between trophic levels is inefficient, with only a small fraction of the energy gained at each trophic level being passed on to the next level. This means that there is not enough energy available to support a large biomass of top predators, while there can be a larger biomass of herbivorous animals lower in the food chain.

In the Ocean, Why Would There Be a Smaller Biomass