Question
Medium
Solving time: 3 mins
What are the three types of ecological pyramids. What information is conveyed by each pyramid with regard to structure, function and energy in the ecosystem.
Found 7 tutors discussing this question
Discuss this question LIVE
11 mins ago
Text solutionVerified
Ecological Pyramids: An ecological pyramid is a graphical representation of an ecological parameter as number of individual present in various trophic level of food chain.
Properties of ecological pyramid-
(i) The trophic structure of an ecosystem is represented in the form of ecological pyramids.
(ii) The base of each pyramid represents the producers or the first trophic level, while the apex represents tertiary or top level consumer.
The three types of ecological pyramids are-
(a) Pyramid of number- shows relationship between producers and consumers in an ecosystem in terms of numbers. It may be inverted or upright pyramid.
(b) Pyramid of biomass- shows relationship between producers and consumers in an ecosystem terms of biomass. It can be
1. Upright, e.g., in case of grass land ecosystem.
2. Inverted, e.g., in case of pond ecosystem- Small standing crop of phytoplankton supports large standing crop of zooplankton.
(c) Pyramid of energy- is the relationship between producers and consumers in an ecosystem in terms of flow of energy. It is always upright because energy is always lost as heat at each step.
An ideal pyramid of energy. Observe that primary producers convert only 1% of the energy of the sunlight available to them into Net Primary Productivity.
Properties of ecological pyramid-
(i) The trophic structure of an ecosystem is represented in the form of ecological pyramids.
(ii) The base of each pyramid represents the producers or the first trophic level, while the apex represents tertiary or top level consumer.
The three types of ecological pyramids are-
(a) Pyramid of number- shows relationship between producers and consumers in an ecosystem in terms of numbers. It may be inverted or upright pyramid.
(b) Pyramid of biomass- shows relationship between producers and consumers in an ecosystem terms of biomass. It can be
1. Upright, e.g., in case of grass land ecosystem.
2. Inverted, e.g., in case of pond ecosystem- Small standing crop of phytoplankton supports large standing crop of zooplankton.
(c) Pyramid of energy- is the relationship between producers and consumers in an ecosystem in terms of flow of energy. It is always upright because energy is always lost as heat at each step.
An ideal pyramid of energy. Observe that primary producers convert only 1% of the energy of the sunlight available to them into Net Primary Productivity.
Was this solution helpful?
50
Share
Report
One destination to cover all your homework and assignment needs
Learn Practice Revision Succeed
Instant 1:1 help, 24x7
60, 000+ Expert tutors
Textbook solutions
Big idea maths, McGraw-Hill Education etc
Essay review
Get expert feedback on your essay
Schedule classes
High dosage tutoring from Dedicated 3 experts
Practice more questions from Biology Exemplar (NCERT Exemplar)
Q1
Which of the following ecosystems will be more productive in terms of primary productivity? Justify your answer.
A young forest, a natural old forest, a shallow polluted lake, alpine meadow.
A young forest, a natural old forest, a shallow polluted lake, alpine meadow.
Q2
What are the three types of ecological pyramids. What information is conveyed by each pyramid with regard to structure, function and energy in the ecosystem.
Q3
Write a short note on pyramid of numbers and pyramid of biomass.
View allPractice questions from Biology Exemplar (NCERT Exemplar)
Question 1
Medium
Views: 5,873
Question 3
Hard
Views: 5,907
Practice more questions from Ecosystem
Question 1
Easy
Views: 5,809
(b) Describe how do oxygen and chemical composition of detritus control decomposition.
Question 3
Hard
Views: 5,319
Practice questions on similar concepts asked by Filo students
Question 1
Views: 5,919
Question 2
Views: 5,192
Question 3
Views: 5,812
Question 4
Views: 5,725
Stuck on the question or explanation?
Connect with our Biology tutors online and get step by step solution of this question.
231 students are taking LIVE classes
Question Text | What are the three types of ecological pyramids. What information is conveyed by each pyramid with regard to structure, function and energy in the ecosystem. |
Topic | Ecosystem |
Subject | Biology |
Class | Class 12 |
Answer Type | Text solution:1 |
Upvotes | 50 |