Question

What is a pyramid of biomass? Give an example of an inverted pyramid and explain why it is inverted.

Answer 1

Pyramid of biomass is the graphical representation of the quantity of living matter (biomass) at different trophic levels.

Inverted pyramids of biomass exist in oceans. The number of carnivores or the secondary consumers (e.g. sharks) in oceans is high compared to the producers and the herbivores (primary consumers). Therefore, the amount of biomass is maximum at the top and the biomass of producers is comparatively low. Therefore the pyramid of biomass is inverted in oceans.