Question

Which type of pyramid is inverted?

Answer 1

Ecological pyramid

1. Ecological pyramid is a graphic representation of an ecological parameter (like biomass) sequence wise with producers at the base, herbivores above them followed by carnivores, secondary carnivores, etc. with the tip occupied by top carnivores.
2. An inverted pyramid is formed when the number of individuals or biomass is minimum and increases at each trophic level.
3. The pyramid of biomass in a pond ecosystem is an example of an inverted pyramid because the biomass of phytoplankton may be smaller than that of zooplankton.
4. Mostly the ecological pyramids, i.e. pyramid of biomass, number and energy are upright as the producers are more than herbivores and herbivores are more than carnivores.
5. But there are some exceptions such as the pyramid of numbers in the tree ecosystem is inverted because one tree supports so many organisms. The pyramid of biomass in the marine ecosystem is also inverted.
6. The pyramid of energy is always upright because there is always some loss of energy from one trophic level to the next.