Pyramid of Energy

Pyramid of Biomass

Pyramid of Number

(i)

Pyramid of energy is the graphic representation of amount of energy trapped per unit time and area in different trophic levels of the food chain with producers forming the base and top carnivores the tip.

Pyramid of biomass is the graphic representation of biomass present in per unit area of different trophic levels with producers at the base and top carnivores at the tip.

Pyramid of numbers is a graphic representation of amount of energy drapped per unit time and area in different levels of a food chain with producers forming the base and top carnivores the tip.

(ii)

It is always upright.

It is inverted or upright.

It is inverted or upright.

(iii)

E.g., pond ecosystem.

Large fish

126

KJ/m2/yr

Insect larvae        Small fish 840 KJ/m2/yr      1260 KJ/m2/yr

Zooplankton, worms 7980 KJ/m2/yr Phytoplankton 31080 KJ/m2/yr

E.g.,      grassland         and       forest ecosystem.

Top carnivore (e.g., Lion 1 Kg)

Primary carnivore (e.g., Foxes 10 Kg)

Primary consumer (e.g., Rabbits 100 Kg)

Producers

(e.g., Grass plants 1000 kg)

E.g., grassland ecosystem.

Trophic levels                                               Number of

TC                                                            individuals

(Tertiary consumer)                                                              3

SC

(Secondary consumer)                                                         3,54,000

(Prima PC nsumer)                                                              708,000

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(Prima PP oducer)                                                                5,842,000

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