Question Details

Ecological pyramids represent the relationship between the organisms at different trophic levels and they are generally inverted for :

Options

A

Pyramid of biomass in grassland

B

Pyramid of biomass in sea

C

Pyramid of number in grassland

D

Pyramid of energy in pond ecosystem

Show Answer

Correct Answer :

Option B

Pyramid of biomass in sea

Pyramid of biomass in sea

Solution :

The correct answer is: Pyramid of biomass in sea.

Ecological pyramids are graphical representations that show how the amount of a particular ecological quantity (such as number of individuals, biomass, or energy) changes from one trophic level to the next in an ecosystem.

There are three common types of ecological pyramids:

1. Pyramid of numbers – shows the count of organisms at each trophic level.
2. Pyramid of biomass – shows the total mass (dry weight) of living material at each level.
3. Pyramid of energy – shows the flow of energy per unit time through the trophic levels.

In most terrestrial ecosystems, the pyramid of biomass is upright because the primary producers (plants) have a large total mass compared with the consumers that feed on them. However, in many marine ecosystems the situation is different. The primary producers are microscopic phytoplankton, which have a very small individual size and therefore a low total biomass despite their high productivity. As a result, the combined biomass of primary consumers (zooplankton) and higher trophic levels can exceed the biomass of the phytoplankton.

Because the mass of organisms increases up the food chain in this case, the pyramid of biomass appears inverted in the sea. This inversion is a characteristic feature of marine ecosystems and distinguishes them from most terrestrial ecosystems.

Therefore, the ecological pyramid that is generally inverted for a sea ecosystem is the pyramid of biomass in sea.

Unlock Our Free Library

Access expert-curated educational resources and study materials—completely free.

Ask AI Tutor
5 left
Q1 View Question & Options
AI Tutor is solving this question...
Reading question context & options...