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.
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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
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=
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