Question

(a) Construct a pyramid of biomass in sea with phytoplankton and fishes. Explain giving reasons about the characteristic of the constructed pyramid.

Hint:

Inverted biomass pyramids in aquatic ecosystems highlight the rapid reproduction and energy efficiency of primary producers like phytoplankton.

Answer 1

In aquatic ecosystems, the pyramid of biomass is inverted. This signifies that primary consumers (fishes) possess a greater biomass than primary producers (phytoplankton). This phenomenon occurs due to the rapid reproduction of phytoplankton, which offsets their smaller biomass through a high turnover rate.