Pyramids+of+numbers+and+biomass

PYRAMID OF PRODUCTIVITY = Pyramids of numbers and mass = Pyramids of numbers:

We can use pyramids of numbers to represent the number of individuals in an ecosystem feeding at each trophic level. For instance:

The pyramid shows that a large number of producers support a smaller number of primary consumers which in turn provides food for and even smaller number of secondary consumers and so on.

= PROBLEMS WITH PYRAMID OF NUMBERS =




 * We see immidiately that in this is no longer a pyramid . It has the shape of an inverted pyramid.
 * In this inverted pyramid an oak tree can't suppport many primary consumers.
 * It does not seem logical that 1 tiny organism is represented in the same way as 1 relatively massive organism.

THE SOLUTION use a pyramid of Biomass.

BIOMASS: is the total mass of organic(living) material, once water is removed. 

In the inverted pyramid of numbers it becomes a regular pyramid of biomass. Units of biomass are typically kilograms per square meter. (kg/m² ) or kgm²