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Question

(a) What is an ecological pyramid? Compare the pyramids of energy, biomass and numbers.

(b) Write any two limitations of ecological pyramids. [5]

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Solution

(a) An ecological pyramid is a graphical representation of the relationship among the organisms at different trophic levels. [1]

Pyramid of energy : [1]
(i) Shows transfer of energy from one trophic level to the next.
(ii) Always upright.

Pyramid of biomass : [1]
(i) Shows transfer of amount of food from one trophic level to the next.
(ii) Mostly upright but may be inverted also.

Pyramid of numbers : [1]
(i) It shows the number of organisms at each trophic level.
(ii) Mostly upright. It may be inverted.

(b) Limitations of ecological pyramids are: [1]
(i) It does not accomodate the food web.
(ii) It does not take into account the same species and saprophytes are not given any place.

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