ECOLOGICAL PYRAMID

An ecological pyramid is a graphical representation of the relationship between

the different living organisms at different trophic levels. It is also known as a food
pyramid, trophic pyramid, or energy pyramid. Charles Elton developed the concept
of the pyramid of numbers in 1927. Then Bodenheimer in 1938 who proposed the
pyramid structure for biomass and in 1942 Hutchinson and Linderman proposed
the pyramid for productivity. It can be observed that these pyramids are in the
shape of actual pyramids, with the base being the broadest part is occupied by the
producers followed by the primary consumers at the next level, then the
secondary consumers, and then tertiary consumers or the organisms placed at the
top of the food chain at the topmost level. The ecological pyramid is additionally
used to make sense of how different living beings in an environment are
connected with each other. Also, it shows who is consumed by whom, while
likewise showing the flow of the energy.
TYPES OF ECOLOGICAL PYRAMID
The ecological pyramid is of three types; the pyramid of numbers, the pyramid of
biomass, and the pyramid of energy.

PYRAMID OF NUMBER

The Pyramid of Number denotes the total number of living

individuals at various trophic levels in an ecological system. The producers are at
the base and top carnivores at the topmost level in this pyramid. The pyramid of
numbers can be both upright and inverted.

 The upright pyramid has the largest number of producers at the base
and their numbers keep on declining with each passing level like pond
or grassland ecosystem.
 In the inverted pyramid, the base pointed with a lesser number of
producers whereas the topmost level will have the largest number of
individuals as the size and food consumption of organisms in each level
will decrease i.e. in this system one individual producer can support
many primary consumers, similarly, one primary consumer can support
many secondary consumers, and so on. This type of pyramid is seen in
the case of a parasitic food chain.
UPRIGHT PYRAMID

INVERTED PYRAMID
PYRAMID OF BIOMASS

The ecological pyramid that is made by considering the amount of

biomass that is produced by the living system of each trophic level is represented
by the pyramid of biomass. The pyramid that demonstrates the total weight of
every trophic level in a specific food chain in an ecosystem is the biomass pyramid.

Like the pyramid of numbers, the pyramid of biomass can be both upright
and inverted.

 Forests and grasslands ecological systems are instances of upstanding

biomass pyramids as the number of producers is more in number.

 The ocean ecosystem is an example of an inverted pyramid as a large

number of zooplankton are dependent on a lesser number of
phytoplankton. Dependent on the trophic level of an ecosystem, only 15%
to 20% of biomass per level goes to the following level.
UPRIGHT PYRAMID

INVERTED PYRAMID
PYRAMID OF ENERGY
The ecological pyramid which is formed by determining the flow of
energy from one trophic level to another is known as the pyramid of energy. The
producers situated at the base of the pyramid of energy have the highest amount
of energy and the topmost consumer at the top has the least amount of energy .

This pyramid addresses the complete energy content of each trophic level in an
ecological system.
 The energy pyramid is a vertical representation illustrating the transfer of energy
from producers to consumers within an ecosystem.
 This pyramid visually conveys the amount of energy needed in each successive
trophic level as it ascends.
 Unlike other ecological pyramids, the energy pyramid is consistently upright.
 This is because the flow of energy in a food chain is unidirectional, always moving
from producers to consumers.
 The pyramid captures the unidirectional nature of energy transfer in ecosystems.
 Additionally, the energy pyramid accounts for the fact that, as energy moves through
trophic levels, there is a loss of energy to the environment.
 This phenomenon results in a decrease in the available energy as the trophic level
rises within the pyramid.
 ENERGY FLOW IN ECOLOGICAL PYRAMID
 The transfer of energy within a food web occurs when one organism consumes
another, acquiring energy-rich molecules from the prey’s body.

 Despite the essential nature of this process, these transfers are inefficient,
imposing limitations on the length of food chains.

 A portion of the energy that enters a trophic level is stored as biomass,

constituting a component of organisms’ bodies.

 Only the energy stored as biomass is accessible to the next trophic level, as this
represents the energy available for consumption.

 Following a general rule, approximately 10% of the energy stored as biomass in

one trophic level (per unit time) is transferred and stored as biomass in the
subsequent trophic level (per unit time).

 This pattern of fractional energy transfer places constraints on the length of food
chains. Typically, after a certain number of trophic levels, ranging from three to
six, the energy flow becomes insufficient to sustain a viable population at higher
trophic levels.

 This phenomenon underscores the delicate balance and constraints associated

with energy flow in ecological systems.
IMPORTANCE OF ECOLOGICAL PYRAMID

The ecological pyramid is important in a biological system due to the following

reasons:
 An ecological pyramid takes into account the dietary patterns of various
living organisms.

 The ecological pyramids take into account the number of living creatures in
an ecosystem.

 It gives clarity of how much energy moved to start with one trophic level
and then onto the next level of the ecosystem.

 It gives data about the biodiversity of a region.

 The ecological pyramid is framed based on the food-consumer relationship.

 If the food chain order is disturbed, the biological pyramid will be disturbed
and the entire environment will be seriously harmed.

 It helps in keeping up with equilibrium and helps in checking the entire state
of a biological ecosystem.
FEATURES OF ECOLOGICAL PYRAMID
The following are the characteristics of an Ecological Pyramid:
 The ecological pyramid comprises two to four layers.

 Organisms that are dependent on the same type of food sources are placed
at the same level.

 The producers are situated at the lowest level of an ecological pyramid with
a huge population.

 The apex predators exist at the topmost level of an ecological pyramid with
a relatively smaller population.

 The pointed shape of the pyramid is due to the fact that the supply of
energy or biomass becomes lesser with each passing level of the pyramid.

 In the case of the pyramid of numbers, the topmost level will have a lesser
number of individuals but their relative body size and volume increase.
 LIMITATIONS OF ECOLOGIAL PYRAMID

 Similar to the food chain, where several species may span multiple trophic levels,
this system does not account for the complexity inherent in food webs.

 The exclusion of saprophytes, despite their significance in many ecosystems, is

another limitation of these pyramids.

 The utility of these pyramids is confined to simple food chains that may not
accurately represent the intricacies of natural ecosystems.

 Furthermore, these pyramids cannot offer insights into seasonal and climate
changes, limiting their applicability.

 Moreover, these pyramids do not consider the existence of many species

occupying various trophic levels, thereby overlooking the diverse interactions
within ecosystems.

 As a result, the pyramidal representation may oversimplify the dynamics of

ecological systems, emphasizing the importance of considering food webs and
broader ecological complexities for a more comprehensive understanding.
CONCLUSION

In conclusion, ecological pyramids provide valuable insights into the structure and
functioning of ecosystems. By visualizing the relationships between different
trophic levels, we gain a deeper understanding of how energy, biomass, and
population numbers are distributed within ecosystems. These ecological pyramids
serve as powerful tools for ecologists to analyze and compare various ecosystems,
highlighting their diversity and complexity. As we continue to study and
appreciate ecological pyramids, we also recognize the importance of maintaining
balance and harmony in our natural world to sustain life for future generations .