This document discusses ecological pyramids, which are graphical representations of the trophic structure of ecosystems. There are three main types of ecological pyramids: pyramids of numbers, biomass, and energy. The pyramid of numbers shows the number of individuals at each trophic level, with large numbers of producers at the base and fewer carnivores at the top. The pyramid of biomass represents biomass per unit area, which can be inverted in aquatic ecosystems. The pyramid of energy depicts the flow of energy through trophic levels, with the most energy available to producers and only 10% passing to each higher trophic level. Ecological pyramids are important for understanding ecosystem feeding relationships and monitoring ecosystem conditions.
2. Contents:
Ecological pyramids
Types of Ecological pyramids
Pyramids of numbers
Pyramid of biomass
Pyramid of energy
Importance of ecological pyramid
Limitation of ecological pyramid
Conclusion
References
3. Ecological Pyramids
Idea of ecological pyramids was developed
by Charles Elton
Ecological pyramids are
graphical representations of the trophic
structure of ecosystems.
Trophic levels are the feeling position in a food
chain such as primary producers, Herbivorous,
primary carnivorous, etc.
4. Types of Ecological Pyramid
Three types of ecological pyramids can
usually
be distinguished namely:
1. Pyramid of Numbers
2. Pyramid of Biomass
3. Pyramid of Energy
5. Pyramid of Numbers
▶ It is the graphical
representation of the
number individuals per
unit areas of various
trophic levels.
▶ Large numbers of
producers tend to form
the base.
▶ Lower numbers of top
carnivores occupy the top.
6. Pyramid of Numbers
The shape of the pyramid
of numbers vary from
ecosystem to ecosystem.
In aquatic ecosystem
and grassland
communities, autotrophs are
present in large numbers per
unit area.
A lesser number of herbivores,
which in turn support fewer
carnivores.
Pyramid of Numbers
in Aquatic Ecosystem
8. Pyramid of Biomass
Pyramid of biomass is the graphic
representation of biomass per
unit area in different topic levels
Biomass is calculated by the mass
of each individual x number of
individual at each trophic level.
9. Inverted pyramid of biomass
If an aquatic habitat the
pyramid of biomass is
inverted or spindle-shaped
where the biomass of
trophic level depends
upon the reproductive
potential and longevity of
the member.
10. Pyramid of Energy
▶ It is the graphic representation
of the flow of energy through
each trophic level of food
chain over a fixed time period.
▶ It is also known as "pyramid
of Productivity".
▶ The available energy is the
highest at producer level.
11. Pyramid of energy
Only 10% of energy is
available to next
trophic level ( as per
Lindemann's ten
percent rule)
The pyramid of energy
is always upright.
12. Importance of the Ecological Pyramid
▶ They show the feeding of different organisms in
different ecosystem.
▶ It show the efficiency of energy transfer
▶ The condition of the ecosystem can be monitor
and any further damage can be prevented
13. Limitation of ecological pyramid
▶ More than one species may occupy
multiple tropic levels as in case of the
food web. Thus, this system does not take
into account food webs.
▶ The saprophytes are not considered in
any of the pyramids even though this
form an important part of the various
ecosystem
14. Conclusion
▶ From the above content it was clear that the
ecological pyramids give information about the
Tropic structures and also provide a Framework
for the study of ecosystem and adjective along
with the study of number and biomas of the
organism in the ecosystem.
▶ Along with the brief knowledge about the
Trophic structures, it also allow us to observe the
changes in the ecosystem due to several factors
15. References
▶ Ecology and Ecosystem, PD Sharma.
▶ Environmental Sciences, Dr
. Shantilata Swain
▶ Fat, Brian and Killian Megan, (2007). The relevance of
ecological pyramids in community assemblages.
Ecological Modelling ECOL. Model. 208. 286 - 294
10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2007.06.001
