Question

A small standing crop of phytoplankton supports a large standing crop of zooplankton. This can be correctly represented by:

• A. Inverted pyramid of energy
• B. Inverted pyramid of biomass
• C. Upright pyramid of biomass
• D. Sometimes upright and sometimes inverted pyramid of energy

Hint:

In aquatic ecosystems, the biomass pyramid can be inverted because the turnover rate of phytoplankton is much faster than zooplankton.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Typically, biomass pyramids are upright, with producers at the base and consumers at higher levels. However, some aquatic ecosystems, such as those dominated by phytoplankton and zooplankton, can exhibit an inverted biomass pyramid. In these cases, the biomass of zooplankton, a higher trophic level, exceeds that of the phytoplankton, the lower trophic level.
Step 2: Conclusion.
This situation describes an inverted pyramid of biomass.
Final Answer: \[\boxed{\text{The correct answer is (2) Inverted pyramid of biomass.}}\]