Ecological Pyramids Intro

Modelling Ecosystems
Ecological Pyramids

Ecological pyramids are graphical

models and illustrate the
quantitative differences that exist
between the trophic levels of a
single ecosystem.

The type of pyramid is chosen

depending upon the type and
quantity of data collected.
Second Law of Thermodynamics

According to the second law of

thermodynamics

pyramids have a tendency for

numbers and quantities of biomass
and energy to decrease along food
chains

therefore the pyramids generally

become narrower as one ascends.
Pyramids of Numbers

Pyramids of numbers provide a

diagrammatic representation of the
numbers of different organisms at each
trophic level in an ecosystem at any
one time.

Generally, as the pyramid is ascended,

the number of organisms decreases, but
the size of each individual increases.
They represent a store at that
particular trophic level.
Pyramids of Numbers - Exceptions

Exceptions to the “normal” shape

occur when the producer is very
large

e.g. an oak tree,

or parasites feed on the consumers,

e.g. bird lice on owl.
Pyramids of Biomass

Pyramids of biomass represent the

biomass (number of individuals x mass
of each individual at each trophic
level at any one time.

It eliminates the effect of body mass

and represents the standing stock at
each trophic level.

These are used so that a fair

comparison can be made between
different ecosystems.
Dry Mass

The dry mass of organisms is used

to negate the variability of water
content in organisms.

The units are expressed in grams

per square metre (gm-2) but energy
can also be used, such as Jm–2

Both pyramids of numbers and

pyramids of biomass represent
storages.
Pyramids of Biomass - Exceptions

In some aquatic ecosystems,phytoplankton

grow and reproduce rapidly, i.e. they have
a high turnover rate

at a particular time of year higher trophic

levels may be larger than the producer.

the producers may have died while the

primary consumers are still alive

The pyramids of biomass also represent the

stores present in a particular trophic
level.
Pyramids of Productivity

Pyramids of productivity represent the rate

of flow of energy during a fixed time
period.

The values can be expressed as biomass

(gm-2 yr-1) or as energy, e.g. as
kilojoules per square metre per year (kJ
m-2 yr-1).

Pyramids of productivity are never inverted

when one entire year is considered.

The solar input of energy may be included

as an extra rectangle at the base.