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Briefly explain the ecological pyramids.

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(i) Pyramid of numbers: this shows the numbers of individual organisms at each trophic level

(ii) Pyramid of biomass: it shows the quantitative relationships of the standing crops

-In a grassland and forest there is generally a gradual decrease in biomass of organisms at successive levels from producers to the top carnivores. In this way, the pyramids are upright
-In a pond the producers are small organisms their biomass is small and this value gradually shows an increase towards the apex of the pyramid and the pyramids are inverted in shape.

(iii) Pyramid of energy-: it shows the rate of energy flow and/or productivity at successive trophic levels. The energy pyramid gives the best picture of overall nature of the ecosystem. The number and weight of organisms at any level depends on the rate at which food is being produced. If we compare the pyramid of energy with that of the numbers and biomass (pictures of the standing situations or organisms present at any moment) the pyramid of energy is a picture of the rates of passage of food mass through the food chain. It is always upright.

marto answered the question on March 20, 2019 at 07:09

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Briefly explain the ecological pyramids.

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