Question

The ecological pyramids may have an ‘upright’ or an ‘inverted’ shape. Justify with the help of suitable examples.

Hint:

The shape of the pyramid depends on the ecosystem type and the parameter being measured (energy, biomass, or numbers).

Answer 1

Upright pyramid: Typical in ecosystems like grasslands, characterized by producers holding the most energy/biomass, subsequently decreasing with each consumer level (primary, secondary). Inverted pyramid: Observed in aquatic environments, where producers (phytoplankton) have less biomass than zooplankton and organisms at higher trophic levels.