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1.4 Ecological Pyramids . (Sec 2.5 pg 39-41). We can represent the pathways that energy takes through an ecosystem with an ecological pyramid (a.k.a. food pyramid) . There are three types ; all have producers on the bottom, then primary consumers, then secondary & tertiary consumers.
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1.4 Ecological Pyramids (Sec 2.5 pg 39-41)
We can represent the pathways that energy takes through an ecosystem with an ecological pyramid (a.k.a. food pyramid). • There are three types; all have producers on the bottom, then primary consumers, then secondary & tertiary consumers.
Pyramid of Energy = each level represent the amount of energy available to the next level. • Only about 10% of the energy of each level is passed on to the next! • Mostenergy at any level used for basic life processes (movement, reproduction, etc.)
Pyramid of numbers = each level represents the actual number of individuals in that trophic level. • Shapes vary widely depending on the physical size of producers (e.g. grasslands have LOTS of individual grasses; mature forests have much fewer large trees)
Pyramid of mass = each level represents the total mass of the organisms in that trophic level. • Most communities have the standard shape shown here (there is a consistent pattern to the biomass at each level across most communities)
