- An ecological pyramid is a graphical representation of the relationship between the amounts of energy or matter at the different trophic levels in an ecosystem.
- There are three types of ecological pyramids: Pyramid of Energy, Pyramid of Numbers, and Pyramid of Biomass.
- A Pyramid of Energy shows the amount of energy available at each trophic level. The 10% law states that only 10% of energy from organic matter is passed on when energy is transferred from one trophic level to another. The Pyramid of Energy is always upright because energy is lost as heat during transfer.
- A Pyramid of Numbers shows the relative numbers of organisms at each trophic level. Unlike a Pyramid of Energy, a Pyramid of Numbers is not always upright; for example, a single tree can support many individual lifeforms.
- A Pyramid of Biomass shows the relative amount of biomass at each trophic level. Biomass is the amount of living tissue, and thus represents the amount of potential food available at each level.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of ecological pyramid worksheet answers.
