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Questions and Answers
In an ecological pyramid, which level typically forms the base?
Which type of ecological pyramid represents the numbers of individuals in each trophic level?
What occupies the third trophic level in the pyramid of numbers in a lake ecosystem?
Which organisms are typically found at the second trophic level in a lake ecosystem according to the pyramid of numbers?
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What is true about the number of organisms as we move up the trophic levels in the pyramid of numbers?
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Which type of ecological pyramid is focused on showing the flow of energy through each trophic level?
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Which type of pyramid is always upright?
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Why is the Pyramid of Biomass inverted in certain ecosystems?
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What is the main source of energy captured by autotrophs for photosynthesis?
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Why do some producer organisms have small mass compared to higher trophic levels?
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Which trophic level has more energy at the base of a Pyramid of Energy?
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What happens to energy as it moves from one trophic level to another?
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What happens to the number of organisms and body size as we move from the base to the apex in an ecological pyramid of numbers?
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In a parasitic food chain starting from a tree, how is the pyramid of numbers shaped?
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Which group of organisms is likely to have the least biomass in an ecological pyramid of biomass?
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What represents the living weights of the members of the food chain present at any one time in a pyramid of biomass?
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In the context of ecological pyramids, what can be said about the total biomass of herbivores compared to the total biomass of producers?
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What type of pyramid shape is formed when there is an increase in the number of feeding organisms at each trophic level?
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Study Notes
Ecological Pyramids
- In an ecological pyramid, the producer level forms the base, and successive levels make up the apex.
Types of Ecological Pyramids
- There are three types of ecological pyramids: Pyramid of numbers, Pyramid of biomass, and Pyramid of energy.
Pyramid of Numbers
- It represents the numbers of individuals in each trophic level with producers at the base and consumers in different orders.
- The base of the pyramid is characterized by producers, which are the most abundant.
- The number of organisms decreases rapidly with each successive level, with a few carnivores at the top.
- In a lake ecosystem, the pyramid of numbers is best explained with producers (algae, diatoms, and other hydrophytes) at the base, followed by herbivores (zooplanktons), then carnivores, and finally top carnivores.
Pyramid of Biomass
- It represents the living weights of the members of the food chain present at any one time.
- The pyramid of biomass may be upright or inverted, depending on the nature of the food chain in the particular ecosystem.
- In an inverted pyramid, the biomass accumulation is more at the higher trophic levels than at the producer level.
Pyramid of Energy
- It represents the energy transfer from one trophic level to another.
- It always depicts an upright pyramid, with more energy at the base (producers) than at the successive higher trophic levels.
- Energy moves unidirectionally, from solar energy to autotrophs (plants) for photosynthesis, and then to herbivores and other trophic levels.
- Energy is lost through respiration at higher trophic levels.
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Description
Learn about the types of ecological pyramids, including Pyramid of Numbers, Pyramid of Biomass, and Pyramid of Energy. Understand how each type represents the different aspects of an ecosystem, with producers forming the base and consumers at higher trophic levels.
