Ecological Pyramids: Models of Trophic Relationships
Ecological Pyramids
Definition
: graphical models representing
the quantitative differences that exist
between Trophic levels
Pyramids of numbers
Pyramids of biomass
Pyramids of Productivity/Energy
Pyramids of Numbers
Basic pyramid
– represents
the number of organisms
at each trophic level.
Can display different
patterns depending on the
type of ecosystem
represented.
Large lower level
organisms = smaller
numbers at that level.
No equation given
Pyramids of Biomass
•
Represents the amount
of dried tissue at each
trophic level.
•
Quantities of biomass
and energy decrease
along the food
chain
(hence: pyramid
shape)
•
Equation:
–
gms/meters² or
–
Joules/meters² (energy)
Pyramids of Productivity/Energy
•
Equation:
–
(B₂ - B₁ )/ Time (t) = NP
•
Normal pyramid shows the loss
of energy in comparison with
the movement up the Trophic
levels.
–
Each step will be 10% the size of
the previous step
•
The exception to the normal
pyramid is when portions of a
food web
are supported by
inputs of resources from
outside of the local
community
.
–
Ex: global warming = increase in
solar energy
–
Ex: addition/subtraction of non-
native species to an
environment.
Ecological pyramids are graphical models that depict quantitative differences between trophic levels in an ecosystem. They come in three types: Pyramids of Numbers, Pyramids of Biomass, and Pyramids of Productivity/Energy. Pyramids of Numbers show the number of organisms at each trophic level, Pyramids of Biomass represent the amount of dried tissue at each level, and Pyramids of Productivity/Energy demonstrate the loss of energy as it moves up trophic levels. These pyramids provide valuable insights into ecosystem dynamics and energy flow.
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Presentation Transcript
Ecological Pyramids Definition: graphical models representing the quantitative differences that exist between Trophic levels Pyramids of numbers Pyramids of biomass Pyramids of Productivity/Energy
Pyramids of Numbers 3rdlevel consumer Basic pyramid represents the number of organisms at each trophic level. Can display different patterns depending on the type of ecosystem represented. Large lower level organisms = smaller numbers at that level. No equation given 500 2ndlevel consumers 10,000 1stlevel consumers 50,000 Producers 100,00 individuals 1 Owl 100 bugs, squirrels, birds 1 Tree
Pyramids of Biomass Represents the amount of dried tissue at each trophic level. Quantities of biomass and energy decrease along the food chain(hence: pyramid shape) Equation: gms/meters or Joules/meters (energy)
Pyramids of Productivity/Energy Equation: (B - B )/ Time (t) = NP Normal pyramid shows the loss of energy in comparison with the movement up the Trophic levels. Each step will be 10% the size of the previous step The exception to the normal pyramid is when portions of a food web are supported by inputs of resources from outside of the local community. Ex: global warming = increase in solar energy Ex: addition/subtraction of non- native species to an environment.
