Question

Identify the incorrect statement(s) regarding ecological pyramids.

1. Ecological pyramids are graphical representations of ecological parameters like number of individuals, amount of biomass, and amount of energy.
2. The pyramid of energy can be both upright and inverted depending on the ecosystem.
3. Pyramids of number and biomass can be upright and inverted both
4. The pyramid of energy is always upright

• A. 1 only
• B. 2 only
• C. 3 only
• D. All

Answer 1

Answer:

B. 2 only

• Ecological pyramids are vital tools in ecology for visualizing the quantitative relationships between different trophic levels.

• They illustrate how energy, biomass, or number of organisms changes as one moves up the food chain.

• While pyramids of number and biomass can indeed be inverted (e.g., in a parasitic food chain or a forest ecosystem where a large producer supports many smaller consumers), the pyramid of energy is always upright.

• This is because energy is lost at each trophic level as metabolic heat during transfer, adhering to the second law of thermodynamics, meaning there is always less energy available at higher trophic levels.