How Many Types of Ecological Pyramids are There

Introduction

There are a total of three types of Ecological Pyramids. Let us learn this in detail. Ecological pyramids are the graphical representation of the connection between various living creatures at different trophic levels in a food chain The pyramid is formed based on the number of organisms, energy, and biomass, and as the name suggests, they are in the shape of a pyramid. The different kinds of ecological pyramids depend on the amount of energy or biomass accessible at each trophic level.

The ecological pyramid is also known as the energy pyramid. The lower part of the pyramid, which is the broadest part, is occupied by the ones at the main trophic level, which are known as producers. The higher levels of the pyramid are occupied by primary consumers, secondary, and tertiary consumers. They are of three types-

• Pyramid of Numbers

• Pyramid of Biomass

• Pyramid of Energy

Pyramid of Number

The ecological pyramid which is shaped by arranging the number of living organisms of various supplement levels in an ecosystem is known as the pyramid of numbers. The producers are placed on the foundation of the pyramid.

The pyramid of numbers is in the form of an upstanding position. The upstanding pyramid includes the largest number of producers at the base level and the number of organisms decreases step by step on the higher levels.

Pyramid of Biomass

The ecological pyramid that is formed by arranging how much dry weight of different living beings as per the trophic level in an ecological system is called the pyramid of biomass. This type of pyramid can be both in the form of an upstanding and inverted form. Grasslands and forests’ ecological systems are examples of upstanding biomass pyramids. The ecosystem of the lake is an example of an inverted biomass pyramid. These types of pyramids are plays a fundamental role in the food chain

Pyramid of Energy

The ecological pyramid which is formed by organizing the levels of energy at various trophic levels in an ecosystem is known as the pyramid of energy. The producers occupy the foundation of the pyramid of energy and have the highest measure of energy and the top level of the pyramid has the least measure of energy. This type of pyramid is generally upstanding. This pyramid gives information about the complete energy content of each trophic level in the environment. The base of this pyramid has the most amount of energy acquired from the sun, as indicated by Lindeman’s 10% regulation law, the energy at each higher level steadily decreases. A portion of the energy found in natural foods is lost in the form of heat energy in breath, some is consumed in physiological cycles, and the rest is consumed by the decomposers.

Characteristics of The Ecological Pyramid

• Living beings which rely upon a similar class of food-consumers are situated at the same level of the pyramid.

• The ecological pyramid usually comprises two to four layers.

• The producers occupy the least level of an ecological pyramid. The number and amount of producers are very high at this level.

• The predators usually exist at the highest level of an ecological pyramid.

• At the highest level of the ecological pyramid, the number and the amount of consumers are very low.

• The amount of food energy steadily decreases at the highest point of the pyramid. That’s why the highest point of the pyramid has a sharp shape.

• The number of organisms at the highest point of the pyramid of the environment decreases bit by bit, but their size and volume keep on increasing.

Importance of Ecological Pyramid

• An ecosystem pyramid gives an indication of the dietary patterns of various living creatures.

• It gives information about the amount of energy at various trophic levels.

• It helps to calculate the biodiversity of a region.

• Ecological pyramids are formed based on the food-consumer relationship.

• It helps to maintain a state of equilibrium and helps in maintaining the entire state of a biological ecosystem.

• The ecological pyramids indicate the number of living organisms in an ecosystem.

Conclusion

An ecological pyramid is a form of graphical representation of ecological pyramids, for example, the number of individuals, energy levels and the amount of biomass at various trophic levels of an ecosystem which is represented in the form of a pyramid. The lowest level of the pyramid is occupied by the producers and the top carnivores form the highest trophic levels which are placed at the apex.

Based on the parameters which are represented by the ecological pyramids, they can be of 3 types -

• Pyramid of Numbers

• Pyramid of Biomass

• Pyramid of Energy

They are highly significant in an ecosystem because it depicts how various creatures within the ecosystem feed on each other and highlight their food patterns. The pyramid also helps to understand the relationship among the various levels and maintains the overall health and condition of the ecosystem, which is necessary for restoring balance.