How does energy loss effect the number of levels in a food chain?

Energy loss at each trophic level in a food chain limits the number of levels that can be sustained. As energy is transferred from one level to the next, approximately 90% is lost as heat, metabolism, and waste, leaving only about 10% available for the next level. This energy inefficiency restricts the number of trophic levels, as fewer organisms can be supported at higher levels compared to those at the base. Consequently, ecosystems typically have shorter food chains with fewer levels.