Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which ecological pyramid type accurately represents the quantity of living matter at each trophic level?
Which ecological pyramid type accurately represents the quantity of living matter at each trophic level?
- Pyramid of energy
- Pyramid of biomass (correct)
- Pyramid of productivity
- Pyramid of numbers
An ecosystem has a large number of insects feeding on a single tree. Which type of ecological pyramid would be inverted in this scenario?
An ecosystem has a large number of insects feeding on a single tree. Which type of ecological pyramid would be inverted in this scenario?
- Pyramid of productivity
- Pyramid of biomass
- Pyramid of energy
- Pyramid of numbers (correct)
What is the fundamental difference between a pyramid of numbers and a pyramid of biomass?
What is the fundamental difference between a pyramid of numbers and a pyramid of biomass?
- A pyramid of numbers only applies to terrestrial ecosystems; a pyramid of biomass only applies to aquatic ecosystems.
- A pyramid of numbers can never be inverted, while a pyramid of biomass always is.
- A pyramid of numbers depicts the quantity of organisms, whereas a pyramid of biomass depicts the total mass of organisms. (correct)
- A pyramid of numbers represents energy flow, while a pyramid of biomass represents nutrient cycling.
How are trophic levels represented in an ecological pyramid?
How are trophic levels represented in an ecological pyramid?
In a typical ecological pyramid, what generally happens to biomass as you move from the producer level to higher trophic levels?
In a typical ecological pyramid, what generally happens to biomass as you move from the producer level to higher trophic levels?
Flashcards
Ecological Pyramid
Ecological Pyramid
A graphical representation of trophic levels in an ecosystem.
Producers
Producers
The base of ecological pyramids are formed by this organism.
Pyramid of Numbers
Pyramid of Numbers
A pyramid showing the number of organisms at each trophic level.
Pyramid of Biomass
Pyramid of Biomass
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Number of Organisms
Number of Organisms
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Study Notes
- Ecological pyramids represent the trophic structure of an ecosystem.
- Each trophic level or feeding group constitutes a horizontal bar in the pyramid.
- Each bar maintains a uniform height across all trophic levels.
- The width of each bar differs from one trophic level to another.
- Producers form the base of an ecological pyramid.
- Higher successive levels of consumers occur above the base.
Types of Ecological Pyramids
- Pyramid of numbers depicts the number of organisms at each trophic level of the food chain.
- The width of each bar represents the quantity of organisms at that specific level.
- Pyramid of biomass depicts the biomass of all members at each trophic level.
- The width of each bar indicates the biomass of organisms at that level.
- Biomass diminishes at each trophic level from base to apex.
- The quantity of organisms at each level may or may not decrease from the base to the top.
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Description
Explore ecological pyramids that represent the trophic structure of an ecosystem and the types of ecological pyramids. The producers form the base, with successive consumer levels above. Biomass diminishes at each trophic level from base to apex.
