Q51. Consider the following statements about the ecological pyramids
1. The pyramid of numbers can be completely inverted.
2. The pyramid of energy is always upright.
3. The pyramid of biomass is never upright.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Q51. Consider the following statements about the ecological pyramids
1. The pyramid of numbers can be completely inverted.
2. The pyramid of energy is always upright.
3. The pyramid of biomass is never upright.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
The correct option is A (a) Only 1 and 2
Depending upon the size and biomass, the pyramid of numbers may not always be upright, and may even be completely inverted.
An energy pyramid reflects the laws of thermodynamics, with conversion of solar energy to chemical energy and heat energy at each trophic level and with loss of energy being depicted at each transfer to another trophic level. Hence the pyramid is always upward, with a large energy base at the bottom.
Pyramid of biomass is usually determined by collecting all organisms occupying each trophic level separately and measuring their dry weight. This overcomes the size difference problem because all kinds of organisms at a trophic level are weighed. Biomass is measured in g/m2
Depending upon the size and biomass, the pyramid of numbers may not always be upright, and may even be completely inverted.
An energy pyramid reflects the laws of thermodynamics, with conversion of solar energy to chemical energy and heat energy at each trophic level and with loss of energy being depicted at each transfer to another trophic level. Hence the pyramid is always upward, with a large energy base at the bottom.
Pyramid of biomass is usually determined by collecting all organisms occupying each trophic level separately and measuring their dry weight. This overcomes the size difference problem because all kinds of organisms at a trophic level are weighed. Biomass is measured in g/m2
