Question

The ecological pyramids may have an ‘upright’ or an ‘inverted’ shape. Justify with the help of suitable examples.

Hint:

The shape of the pyramid depends on the ecosystem type and the parameter being measured (energy, biomass, or numbers).

Answer 1

Upright pyramid: Found in most ecosystems, such as grasslands, where producers have the highest energy or biomass, followed by primary and secondary consumers. Inverted pyramid: Found in aquatic ecosystems, where phytoplankton (producers) have a smaller biomass than zooplankton and higher trophic levels.