Question

Match the ecosystems with their respective type of pyramid:
(POB/N/E: Pyramid of Biomass/Numbers/Energy)

• A. PON Upright
• B. PON Spindle-shaped
• C. POB inverted

Answer 1

For a terrestrial ecosystem, the PON would be upright because the number of producers will be more than the number of consumers. For example, the number of trees, grass, shrubs in a forest is always more than the number of animals that feed upon the producers.

In case of a tree, one single tree hosts a large variety of herbivores and parasites such as ants, catterpillers. These parasites are consumed by the birds like vultures. Hence, the pyramid of numbers is spindle-shaped.

In case of an aquatic ecosystem, the POB is inverted because the phytoplanktons are extremely small and have really less biomass compared to the fish which feed on it.