Question

"It is often said that the pyramid of energy is always upright. On the other hand, the pyramid of biomass can be both upright and inverted". Explain with the help of examples and sketches. [5]

Answer 1

Pyramid of Energy:
The graphical representation of the amount of energy trapped at different trophic levels of food chain in an ecosystem is called pyramid of energy. Almost 80-90% is lost at each trophic level only 10% of chemical energy is available for the next trophic level.

[2.5]

Pyramid of Biomass:
A graphical representation that shows the amount of biomass present at each tropic level in a unit area at any point of time is called pyramid of biomass. The biomass pyramids are of two types : upright and inverted.
Pyramids of biomass in a terrestrial ecosystem is an upright or straight pyramid. In this type of pyramid, the combined weight of producers is larger than the combined weight of consumers.

An upright pyramid of biomass
Pyramids of biomass in aquatic habitat are of inverted type. In this type of pyramid, the combined weight of producers is smaller than the combined weight of consumers.

An inverted pyramid of biomass [2.5]