Pyramid of Biomass - Ecological Pyramids

The pyramid of numbers is not a very good method to use if the organisms at different trophic levels are of greatly differing sizes. To overcome the shortcomings of the pyramid of numbers, the pyramid of biomass is used. Biomass represents the total dry weight of living beings of different species at each trophic level at a particular time. And it is usually determined by collecting all the organisms occupying each trophic level separately and measuring their dry weight. This eliminates the size difference problem because all kinds of organisms at a trophic level are weighed. Biomass is measured in g/m². At the time of sampling, the amount of biomass is known as standing crop or standing biomass. Generally, the biomass of producers is much greater than biomass of herbivores and the biomass of herbivores is greater than the biomass of carnivores and so on and so forth. In other words, we find that biomass decreases at each trophic level if we move from producer to top carnivore. Therefore, diagrammatic representation of biomass of individuals belonging to the different trophic levels invariably assumes the shape of an upright pyramid.

Figure:  Pyramid of Biomass. The numerical figures of biomass as indicated above are hypothetical, and the organisms are not drawn to the same scale.

Posted Date: 1/19/2013 12:57:21 AM | Location : United States

Ask an Expert

Related Discussions:- Pyramid of biomass - ecological pyramids, Assignment Help, Ask Question on Pyramid of biomass - ecological pyramids, Get Answer, Expert's Help, Pyramid of biomass - ecological pyramids Discussions

Write discussion on Pyramid of biomass - ecological pyramids
Your posts are moderated

Write your message here..

Related Questions

After the blastula stage what is the next stage, Q. After the blastula stag... Q. After the blastula stage what is the following stage of the embryonic development? What is the passage from blastula to the next stage called? The blastula turns into gastru

Asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients, Q. Asymptomatic or Mildly Symp... Q. Asymptomatic or Mildly Symptomatic Patients? The treatment is controversial. Some give them betablockers/or calcium channel blockers like verapamil, in the hope of preventin

List what organelle is responsible, List what organelle is responsible for ... List what organelle is responsible for each of these cellular functions. -production of energy (ATP) for the cell -synthesizing proteins -cellular digestion.

Chemotaxis - modes of cell movement, Chemotaxis - Modes of Cell Movement ... Chemotaxis - Modes of Cell Movement Chemotaxis considers to me directed movement of cells in response to a concentration gradient of a chemical factor in solution. An instance

Chemistry of living matter, Chemistry of Living Matter All living things ... Chemistry of Living Matter All living things including ourselves, are made of protoplasm. Protoplasm is essentiallya colloidal suspension of proteins in a w&ery solution. It is c

Scintigraphy or nuclear medicine, S c inti g r ap h y ... S c inti g r ap h y or nuclear medicine: Scintigraphy was introduced in veterinary medicine in 1970s. It is highly sensitive and can detect bone dama

Name an artificial fertiliser which farmers can use, Name an artificial fer... Name an artificial fertiliser or fertilisers which farmers can use to increase the supply of nitrate, phosphate and potassium to their crops.   NPK compound fertiliser havin

Possible errors in drug administration, POSSIBLE ERRORS IN DRUG ADMINISTRAT... POSSIBLE ERRORS IN DRUG ADMINISTRATION There can be various reasons for error in administering drugs: i) Poor communication of intention by the prescriber. ii) Failur

What is meant by the arch reflex, What is meant by the arch reflex? In ... What is meant by the arch reflex? In some situations the movement of the skeletal striated muscles does not depend upon commands of the superior motor neurons, i.e., it is not

Explain plain dwellers, Which two of the following changes (a - d) usually ... Which two of the following changes (a - d) usually tend to occur in the plain dwellers when they move to high altitudes (3,500 m or more)? 1. Enhance in red blood cell size 2