Primary production is the way in which autotrophs fix energy in an ecosystem. Herbivores consume a very small percentage of primary production due to the fact they have the ability to recycle important nutrients that are contained in their waste products. Once these nutrients are recycled, herbivores are in the capacity to supplement much of the energy budget to support growth. Hence, they end up consuming very little from primary production. Additionally, so much of plant production escapes consumption by herbivores due to high foliage growth, especially in productive ecosystems. The rate at which plants grow in an ecosystem is much higher than the consumption rate by herbivores.
Approximately 10% of primary production is consumed by herbivores, and the remainder of primary production is ultimately transferred to decomposers via the death or senescence of plant parts. Why do herbivores consume such a low percentage of primary production? How does so much plant production escape consumption by herbivores?
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Academic.Tips. (2022) 'Approximately 10% of primary production is consumed by herbivores, and the remainder of primary production is ultimately transferred to decomposers via the death or senescence of plant parts. Why do herbivores consume such a low percentage of primary production? How does so much plant production escape consumption by herbivores'. 3 February.
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Academic.Tips. (2022, February 3). Approximately 10% of primary production is consumed by herbivores, and the remainder of primary production is ultimately transferred to decomposers via the death or senescence of plant parts. Why do herbivores consume such a low percentage of primary production? How does so much plant production escape consumption by herbivores? https://academic.tips/question/approximately-10-of-primary-production-is-consumed-by-herbivores-and-the-remainder-of-primary-production-is-ultimately-transferred-to-decomposers-via-the-death-or-senescence-of-plant-parts-why-do-he/
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Academic.Tips. 2022. "Approximately 10% of primary production is consumed by herbivores, and the remainder of primary production is ultimately transferred to decomposers via the death or senescence of plant parts. Why do herbivores consume such a low percentage of primary production? How does so much plant production escape consumption by herbivores?" February 3, 2022. https://academic.tips/question/approximately-10-of-primary-production-is-consumed-by-herbivores-and-the-remainder-of-primary-production-is-ultimately-transferred-to-decomposers-via-the-death-or-senescence-of-plant-parts-why-do-he/.
1. Academic.Tips. "Approximately 10% of primary production is consumed by herbivores, and the remainder of primary production is ultimately transferred to decomposers via the death or senescence of plant parts. Why do herbivores consume such a low percentage of primary production? How does so much plant production escape consumption by herbivores?" February 3, 2022. https://academic.tips/question/approximately-10-of-primary-production-is-consumed-by-herbivores-and-the-remainder-of-primary-production-is-ultimately-transferred-to-decomposers-via-the-death-or-senescence-of-plant-parts-why-do-he/.
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Academic.Tips. "Approximately 10% of primary production is consumed by herbivores, and the remainder of primary production is ultimately transferred to decomposers via the death or senescence of plant parts. Why do herbivores consume such a low percentage of primary production? How does so much plant production escape consumption by herbivores?" February 3, 2022. https://academic.tips/question/approximately-10-of-primary-production-is-consumed-by-herbivores-and-the-remainder-of-primary-production-is-ultimately-transferred-to-decomposers-via-the-death-or-senescence-of-plant-parts-why-do-he/.
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"Approximately 10% of primary production is consumed by herbivores, and the remainder of primary production is ultimately transferred to decomposers via the death or senescence of plant parts. Why do herbivores consume such a low percentage of primary production? How does so much plant production escape consumption by herbivores?" Academic.Tips, 3 Feb. 2022, academic.tips/question/approximately-10-of-primary-production-is-consumed-by-herbivores-and-the-remainder-of-primary-production-is-ultimately-transferred-to-decomposers-via-the-death-or-senescence-of-plant-parts-why-do-he/.
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