Ecologists measured the dry biomass at four trophic levels in a large wetland reserve.
| Trophic level | Organisms | Dry biomass in the reserve in kg |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marsh grass | 240 000 |
| 2 | Plant-eating insects | 28 800 |
| 3 | Frogs | 2 880 |
| 4 | Water snakes | 230.4 |
A species of bird feeds only on the water snakes. The bird would occupy trophic level 5.
Ecologists estimate that a breeding population of the bird would need a dry biomass of at least 50 kg to survive and reproduce.
Explain whether the biomass data support the suggestion that a breeding population of the bird could become established.
Use calculations and ideas about the transfer of biomass in your answer.
103 exam-style questions on AQA GCSE Biology 7.4 Trophic levels in an ecosystem, covering 7.4.1 Trophic levels, 7.4.2 Pyramids of biomass, and 7.4.3 Transfer of biomass. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.