Question

What are ecological pyramids? Why is energy pyramid always erect? Explain.

Answer 1

An ecological pyramid is also called as trophic pyramid or energy pyramid. It is a graphical representation that indicates the biomass at each trophic level in a given ecosystem. It is the total amount of energy that is consumed at each trophic level in a given food chain. It is represented in three different ways, namely the number of organisms, the biomass in each level and the amount of energy in each level. The energy pyramid is always erect because the total amount of energy that is available in each layer is less than the energy available in the lower level. It is said that only 10% of the total energy is transferred from one trophic level to another trophic level.