Consider the following statements regarding 'Ecological Pyramids' in Environmental Studies (EVS) teaching-learning:
1. The pyramid of numbers is mostly inverted in an aquatic ecosystem because the number of primary producers (phytoplankton) here is much lower compared to consumers (fish).
2. The pyramid of energy is always upright because energy flow decreases constantly when moving from one trophic level to another, and energy is lost according to Lindeman's '10% Law'.
3. The pyramid of biomass in a pond or aquatic ecosystem is always upright because the total dry weight of aquatic organisms continuously increases as it moves towards higher trophic levels.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

Question

Gaurav Shrivastava · Accepted Answer

Statement 1 is incorrect: In an aquatic ecosystem, the pyramid of numbers is indeed inverted, but the reason is that the number of producers (phytoplankton) is higher than that of herbivores and large fish, not lower. Statement 2 is correct: The pyramid of energy is always upright. Energy flow is unidirectional, and according to Lindeman's 10% rule, only 10% of energy is transferred to the next trophic level, while the rest is lost as heat. Statement 3 is incorrect: In a pond or aquatic ecosystem, the pyramid of biomass is inverted because the biomass of primary producers (phytoplankton) is smaller than that of consumers at higher trophic levels.

Categories

Popular topics

Consider the following statements regarding 'Ecological Pyramids' in Environmental Studies (EVS) teaching-learning:

Detailed Explanation & Solution

Related Questions