Ecosystem Question 34
34. Which of the following ecological pyramids is generally inverted?
(a) Pyramid of numbers in grassland
(b) Pyramid of energy
(c) Pyramid of biomass in a forest
(d) Pyramid of biomass in a sea
Show Answer
Answer : d
Hints & Solutions
(d) Ecological pyramid is a graphical representation that illustrates the flow of energy through different forms of life in an ecosystem. It is generally inverted in case of pyramid of biomass in a sea because the biomass of the fishes is more than the phytoplanktons (producers). Features of pyramid of biomass in a sea:
- Food chain in ocean - Phytoplankton $\to$ zooplankton $\to$ predatory fish
- The biomass of consumers (zooplankton) is greater than phytoplankton (the producer) because of their small size and low weight. The predatory fish is much larger than zooplankton.
- The producers of ocean or aquatic ecosystem are phytoplankton and they have short life span and turn over and have lower mass than zooplankton.
- The biomass of tropic level is depends on the longevity of member.
