Pyramid of Biomass Example

What is Biomass Pyramid?

The relationship between numbers, biomass, energy or bio productivity of different trophic levels in an ecosystem can be represented by a pyramid known as the ecological pyramid or Eltonian pyramid. The ecological pyramids show the energy flow in the system.

A biomass pyramid is the representation of total living biomass or organic matter present at different trophic levels in an ecosystem.

Biomass is calculated as the mass of living organisms present at each trophic level in a given sample size. It can be represented as dry weight in grams or calories per unit area. A bomb calorimeter is used to measure biomass.

Trophic level is the specific place that a living organism occupies in a food chain.

In a biomass pyramid, producers (1^st trophic level) are at the base, followed by herbivores (primary consumers) and then carnivores (secondary and tertiary consumers) at the top.

The pyramid of biomass shows the flow of energy from producers to consumers. We know that only 10 per cent of the energy gets transferred to the next trophic level and the rest is either utilised for metabolic processes or excreted out.

Examples of Biomass Pyramid

A biomass pyramid shows the efficiency of energy transfer at each trophic level. It can be upright or inverted. Marine ecosystems show inverted biomass pyramids.

Let us see the example of biomass pyramids in the terrestrial ecosystem and the marine ecosystem to understand the reason for the difference.

Biomass Pyramid of a Grassland Ecosystem

The pyramid of biomass in a grassland ecosystem is upright.

Grasses occupy the base with the highest biomass, then followed by herbivores such as rabbits, rats, etc. The primary consumers are followed by secondary consumers (owl, lizards, snakes, etc.) and then tertiary consumers (eagle, etc.)

As the biomass is calculated by the biomass of organisms multiplied by the number of organisms present at each trophic level, we can see that the biomass of the grass is much more than the primary consumers and decreases further sequentially in secondary and tertiary consumers.

Biomass Pyramid of a Tree Ecosystem

The biomass pyramid is a better representation of energy flow as compared to the number pyramid. E.g. in a tree ecosystem, the number pyramid does not show a perfect pyramid as one oak tree supports hundreds of insects, which are then consumed by less number of birds.

Oaktree (Producer) → Caterpillar/ insects (Primary consumer) → Woodpecker (Secondary consumer)

Here the biomass pyramid is better represented and is upright.

Biomass Pyramid of a Marine Ecosystem

The biomass pyramid of aquatic ecosystem is inverted. Here the biomass of primary producers is much less than the zooplanktons, which is less than the small fish and the big fish having the maximum biomass.

You may wonder how this is possible, how the fewer phytoplanktons can provide sufficient energy flow in the ecosystem.

It is due to higher reproducibility and shorter lifespan of phytoplanktons, that even though at any point of time their biomass is less, they frequently replenish to cater to more increased need by zooplankton and larger fish.

Explore key concepts and important points with regards to NEET, only at BYJU’S. Check the NEET Study Material for all the important concepts and related topics.

Also Check:

NEET Flashcards: Organisms And Populations

NEET Flashcards: Ecosystem

NEET Flashcards: Biodiversity And Conservation

NEET Flashcards: Environmental Issues

To know more about Biomass Pyramid, watch the video given below: