Question

Describe the ecological pyramid in brief.

Hint:

Three types: number, biomass, energy.

Answer 1

Step 1: Define ecological pyramid:
An ecological pyramid is a graphical representation of the trophic structure of an ecosystem, with producers forming the base and successive trophic levels (herbivores, carnivores) stacked above.

Step 2: List the three types:
There are three kinds: pyramid of number (number of individuals at each trophic level), pyramid of biomass (total mass of organisms at each level), and pyramid of energy (energy flow at each level).

Step 3: Note the general shape:
The pyramid of energy is always upright (energy decreases at each successive level, per the 10% law), while pyramids of number and biomass can sometimes be inverted, e.g. in a tree ecosystem or a pond ecosystem respectively.

Final Answer:
An ecological pyramid graphically shows the decrease in number, biomass or energy across successive trophic levels of an ecosystem.