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

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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.


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