In a terrestrial ecosystems such as forests, maximum energy is found in

Options

A. `T_1`
B. `T_2`
C. `T_3`
D. `T_4`

Answer

To solve the question regarding where maximum energy is found in a terrestrial ecosystem such as forests, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Trophic Levels**:
- In a terrestrial ecosystem, organisms are organized into different trophic levels based on their feeding relationships. The first trophic level consists of producers (plants), the second level consists of herbivores (primary consumers), the third level consists of carnivores (secondary consumers), and the fourth level consists of top carnivores (tertiary consumers).

2. **Identifying the Trophic Levels**:
- **1st Trophic Level**: Producers (e.g., plants)
- **2nd Trophic Level**: Herbivores (e.g., cows, goats)
- **3rd Trophic Level**: Secondary consumers (e.g., birds, fishes, wolves)
- **4th Trophic Level**: Top carnivores

3. **Energy Transfer Between Trophic Levels**:
- When energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next, only about 10% of the energy is passed on. The remaining 90% is lost primarily as heat.
- Therefore, from the 1st to the 2nd trophic level, 10% of energy is transferred. From the 2nd to the 3rd, again 10% is transferred. From the 3rd to the 4th, once more only 10% is transferred.

4. **Conclusion on Energy Distribution**:
- As energy moves up the trophic levels, it decreases significantly. Thus, the maximum energy is found at the **1st trophic level**, where producers (plants) are located.

5. **Final Answer**:
- The maximum energy in a terrestrial ecosystem such as forests is found in the **1st trophic level** (the producers).