Question

Arrange the following from lowest to highest dry weight in a biomass pyramid of a grassland ecosystem:
(A) Primary Producer
(B) Primary Consumer
(C) Secondary Consumer
(D) Tertiary Consumer
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. (D), (C), (B), (A)
• B. (A), (C), (B), (D)
• C. (A), (B), (C), (D)
• D. (D), (C), (A), (B)

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The correct arrangement from lowest to highest dry weight in a grassland biomass pyramid is (D), (C), (B), (A).

Additional Context:

• Biomass Pyramid Basics:
  • Represents standing crop biomass at each trophic level
  • Typically upright in grassland ecosystems (unlike some aquatic systems)
• Trophic Level Weights:
  1. (D) Tertiary Consumers: Smallest biomass (e.g., hawks, snakes)
  2. (C) Secondary Consumers: Moderate biomass (e.g., frogs, small carnivores)
  3. (B) Primary Consumers: Larger biomass (e.g., grasshoppers, grazing mammals)
  4. (A) Primary Producers: Greatest biomass (grasses, herbs, shrubs)
• Ecological Efficiency:
  • Only ~10% energy transferred between trophic levels
  • Results in decreasing biomass at higher levels
• Grassland Specifics:
  • High producer turnover maintains large standing crop
  • Fast decomposition minimizes detritus accumulation
• Comparison with Other Ecosystems:
  • Inverted pyramids occur in some aquatic systems (phytoplankton turnover)
  • Forests show similar pattern but with woody biomass

Correct Answer: (1) (D), (C), (B), (A).