Ecological Pyramids and Trophic Levels

These flashcards cover key concepts related to ecological pyramids, biomass, trophic levels, and food chains.

Standing Crop

The mass of living material in a trophic level at a particular time, measured as biomass per unit area.

Biomass

The total mass of organisms in a given area or volume, expressed as fresh or dry weight; dry weight is considered more accurate.

Pyramid of Number

A graphical representation of the number of organisms at each trophic level in a food chain.

Pyramid of Biomass

A graphical representation showing the total biomass of organisms at each trophic level.

Pyramid of Energy

A graphical representation showing the flow of energy at each trophic level; it is always upright and cannot be inverted.

Trophic Level

A functional level in an ecosystem representing the position of an organism in the food chain.

Producers

Organisms that create energy-rich organic compounds from inorganic materials; they are higher in number and biomass than herbivores.

Herbivores

Primary consumers that feed on producers; they are more numerous and have more biomass than carnivores.

Carnivores

Organisms that eat herbivores or other carnivores; they are lower in number and biomass compared to producers and herbivores.

Saprophytes

Organisms that decompose organic material; important for nutrient cycling but not represented in ecological pyramids.

Trophic Levels Overlap

A phenomenon where a given organism occupies more than one trophic level simultaneously, such as a sparrow acting as both a primary and secondary consumer.