In a grazing food chain, the primary producers have 10,000 J of available energy. If an organism 'X' in this food chain receives 1,000 J of energy transferred to its trophic level, what is the ecological role of organism 'X'?

Step-by-step solution

According to Lindeman's 10% law, only 10% of the energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next. The primary producers (first trophic level) have 10,000 J of energy. The next trophic level will receive 10% of 10,000 J , which is 1,000 J . Since organism 'X' receives 1,000 J , it occupies the second trophic level. Organisms at the second trophic level feed directly on producers and are known as primary consumers (herbivores). Answer: Primary consumer