Ecological pyramids in different ecosystems

Ecological pyramids in different ecosystems

1. Introduction to Ecological Pyramids

2. Introduction to Ecological Pyramids

3. PYRAMID OF NUMBERS

4. Pyramid of Numbers Grassland Ecosystem (Upright Pyramid of Numbers) Producers : Numerous grasses make up the base, as they are abundant and support the herbivores. Primary Consumers : Rabbits and grasshoppers, fewer in number than grasses, consume the producers. Secondary Consumers : Fewer predators (such as small birds or foxes) eat the herbivores. Tertiary Consumers : Apex predators (like hawks) are the fewest in number at the top.

5. Pyramid of Numbers in an Aquatic Ecosystem The producers are smallest sized but maximum in number while, top carnivores are larger in size but lesser in number, so these cannot be used as prey by another. Hence the pyramid of numbers is upright

6. Forest Ecosystem (Inverted Pyramid of Numbers) Producers : Few large trees support the entire ecosystem. Primary Consumers : Numerous herbivores like insects depend on the trees. Secondary Consumers : Birds that feed on insects are fewer in number. Tertiary Consumers : Apex predators, such as hawks or owls, are at the top with the least numbers. When a large tree support larger number of herbivorous birds which in turn are eaten by carnivorous birds like falcon and eagle, which are smaller in number, it forms a spindle shaped pyramid

7. PYRAMID OF BIOMASS

8. Forest Ecosystem Producers : Trees and large plants have the highest biomass due to their size and longevity. Primary Consumers : Herbivores (such as deer or insects) have a lower biomass as they rely on the producers. Secondary Consumers : Carnivorous animals like foxes and birds have an even smaller biomass. Tertiary Consumers : Apex predators like wolves or hawks have the smallest biomass due to energy and biomass reduction at each level.

9. Inverted Biomass Pyramid: Aquatic Ecosystem In certain aquatic ecosystems, the biomass pyramid may appear inverted. Producers : Phytoplankton (tiny, fast-reproducing organisms) have a low biomass but high turnover rate, supporting higher levels. Primary Consumers : Zooplankton, which feed on phytoplankton, may have a greater total biomass. Higher Consumers : Fish and larger aquatic predators have more biomass than the producers due to the high reproduction and consumption rate of phytoplankton.

10. PYRAMID OF ENERGY Pyramid of energy is a graphic representation of the amount of energy trapped per unit time and area in different trophic level of a food chain with producers forming the base and the top carnivores at the tip. Shows the amount of energy available at each trophic level, typically measured in kilojoules (kJ) or calories. About 10% of energy is transferred to the next level, while 90% is lost as heat or in metabolic processes ( as per Lindeman's ten percent rule). This makes the energy pyramid always upright, with a broad base of energy at the producer level and decreasing energy at higher trophic levels.

11. Grassland Ecosystem Producers : Grasses have the most energy available since they convert sunlight to chemical energy via photosynthesis. Primary Consumers : Herbivores (like grasshoppers) consume grasses but receive only about 10% of the energy originally captured. Secondary Consumers : Small birds that eat grasshoppers get only about 1% of the energy. Tertiary Consumers : Hawks at the top receive the least energy, around 0.1% of the original input from producers.

12. Factors Influencing Pyramid Shapes

13. Comparison of Pyramid Types

14. Importance of Ecological Pyramids in Ecology and Conservation