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- Biomass - the total dry weight of the organisms in a trophic level
- Biomass Pyramid - a diagram showing the biomass at each trophic level of a food chain
A pyramid of biomass shows energy lost in each trophic level while a pyramid of numbers shows the numbers of the organisms in each trophic level
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Ezra
Ross
JordanEcosystems include levels and are shown as a pyramid. The base is much wider than the apex (top). In ecosystems, the base contains much more biomass than the next level.
About 10% is in the second level compared to the base.
The third level contains 10% of the second level or 1/100th of the base.
The fourth level (if there is enough mass) will be 10% of that. This one reason why only the most fertile ecosystems can support four levels. Many can support 3, some only 2.
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What the total amount of organic matter present in any trophic level?
Biomass pyramid
What does a biomass pyramid represent?
A pyramid of biomass shows how much energy the organism on a food chain is getting from its food.
How does a biomass pyramid differ by showing each tropical level?
A biomass pyramid displays the total biomass at each trophic level in an ecosystem. In a typical pyramid, the biomass decreases as you move up the trophic levels, with primary producers at the base having the most biomass. In a tropical ecosystem, the biomass pyramid may be inverted due to high turnover rates and rapid growth and reproduction of organisms, leading to a larger biomass of consumers compared to producers.
What units are used in a pyramid of biomass?
individuals
How would a pyramid reflecting biomass be similar to or different from an energy pyramid?
A pyramid reflecting biomass would show the amount of living organic matter at each trophic level in an ecosystem, whereas an energy pyramid would show the amount of energy transferred between trophic levels. Both pyramids demonstrate a decrease in quantity as you move up trophic levels, but the biomass pyramid takes into account the total mass of all organisms at each level, while the energy pyramid shows the flow of energy.
