Functions of Ecosystem

Part 3
ECOLOGICAL PYRAMIDS
By Dr Vipan Goyal
 Ecological Pyramids
Pyramidal representation of trophic levels based on their ecological position.

Ecological
Pyramids

Pyramid of
Pyramid of Pyramid of
energy or
numbers biomass
productivity
 PYRAMID OF NUMBERS
Represents the total number of individuals of different species (population) at
each trophic level.
Ecological
Pyramids
(Numbers)

Pyramid of Pyramid of
numbers - numbers -
Upright Inverted

This Representation of Pyramid does

not completely define the trophic
structure for an ecosystem
PYRAMID OF NUMBERS
 PYRAMID OF BIOMASS
It is determined by collecting all organisms occupying each trophic level
separately and measuring their dry weight
Ecological
Pyramids (Bio-
Mass)

Pyramid of Pyramid of
Biomass- Biomass-
Upright Inverted
 PYRAMID OF ENERGY
Represents the amount of energy at each trophic level and loss of energy at
each transfer to another trophic level.
Pyramid is always upward.
Helps to explain the phenomenon of Biological Magnification .
 Pollutants and Trophic Level – Biomagnification
Pollutants moves from one trophic level to another.
Non-degradable pollutants remain in that tropic level for a very long duration.
 Organochlorides most damaging non-degradable pollutant

Organochlorides
Another name -> Chlorinated Hydrocarbons (CHC)
One or more hydrogen atoms replaced by Chlorine.
DDT, heptachlor and endosulfan are were widely used as pesticides.

Movement of these pollutants

involves two main processes:
Bioaccumulation
Biomagnification
 BIOACCUMULATION
Gradual accumulation of pollutants, chemicals (chronic poisoning)
or other substances in an organism.
 BIOMAGNIFICATION
Progressive bioaccumulation (increase in concentration) at each tropical level with
the passage of time.