Which of the following best describes the base of a pyramid of net production?

• A. Its size depends on the energy available from detritivores.
• B. It contains the energy left after the producers have died.
• C. It represents the energy available to secondary consumers.
• D. It receives energy from the primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers.
• E. It contains the energy captured by photosynthesis.

Answer: (E)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of a pyramid of net production: This pyramid illustrates the flow of energy through an ecosystem, starting from producers at the base to various levels of consumers above.
2. Identify the role of producers: Producers, primarily plants and algae, capture energy from sunlight through the process of photosynthesis, converting it into chemical energy stored in organic molecules.
3. Recognize the significance of the base of the pyramid: The base represents the total energy captured by producers, which is the foundation for energy flow in the ecosystem.
4. Clarify the options given: Evaluate each option to determine which accurately describes the base of the pyramid. The correct option should relate to the energy captured by producers through photosynthesis.
5. Conclude with the correct description: The base of the pyramid of net production contains the energy captured by photosynthesis, as this is the initial source of energy for all other trophic levels in the ecosystem.