Ecological Pyramids Study Guide

These flashcards are designed to help students review key concepts related to ecological pyramids, including their definitions, structures, and significances.

What is an ecological pyramid?

A graphical representation of the relationship between different living organisms at different trophic levels.

What does the base of an ecological pyramid represent?

The base usually represents the producers.

What are the three types of ecological pyramids?

Pyramid of Numbers, Pyramid of Biomass, Pyramid of Energy.

What do pyramids of biomass represent?

They represent the amount of dry mass of living organisms at each trophic level.

What is the 10% rule?

Only 10% of energy from one trophic level is passed on to the next; 90% is used or lost.

Why is a pyramid of energy always upright?

Because energy decreases at each successive trophic level from producers to top consumers.

What is the limitation of ecological pyramids regarding decomposers?

Decomposers are not considered, even though they are an important part of ecosystems.

What happens to the number of organisms as you move up each pyramid?

The number of organisms typically decreases as you move up each trophic level.

What does a pyramid of numbers show?

The relative numbers of organisms at each trophic level.

What is biomass?

The dry mass of living organisms in a habitat at a particular time.