Ecological Pyramids

The following diagram shows a correctly illustrated generic inverted ecological pyramid.

• true

• false

Answer explanation

Ecological pyramids can be inverted but they are always in a certain order - T1 at the bottom to T5 at the top as below

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Which of the following statements is true when looking at pyramids of numbers?

• All of the statements are correct.

• They use non-destructive methods of data collection.

• They can be used to compare changes in an ecosystem over time.

• The size of the organism is not taken into account.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which of the following statements gives the advantages of pyramids of numbers?

• All organisms are included regardless of their size.

• Numbers can be so big that it is hard to represent them accurately.

• Data can be collected in a non-destructive way.

• Does not allow for juveniles or immature forms of the species.

Use the pyramid of biomass below to decide which of the following tables is correct.

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

The figure below is an ecological pyramid. It could only be a pyramid of biomass and not a pyramid of numbers. Answer true or false.

• true

• false

Answer explanation

Most pyramids of biomass are pyramid shape but not all. Biomass sampling is a snapshot in time. This means that if phytoplankton reproduce quickly and zooplankton have been eaten by their predators then the biomass of phytoplankton could be more than the biomass of the zooplankton and the biomass of the predators would be greater than for the zooplankton at the time of sampling.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3