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The
Rule
Ecologists
A pyramid of numbers
shows the number of
organisms at each
trophic (relating to
nutrition) level. In
pyramids of numbers,
each successive trophic
level is occupied by
fewer organisms. Thus
the number of
herbivores is greater
than the carnivores.
Pyramid of numbers
Sometimes a pyramid of
numbers can be
inverted, such as in a
woodland ecosystem,
where there are
relatively small numbers
of producers (like large
trees) and many more
primary consumers
(insects eating the trees
leaves)
A pyramid of biomass
illustrates the total
biomass at each
successive trophic level.
Biomass is the total
amount of living matter
at a trophic level. The
pyramids of biomass
show a progressive
reduction of biomass in
the successive trophic
level.
Pyramid of Energy
A pyramid of energy
indicates the energy
content in the
biomass of a trophic
level. These pyramids
show that less energy
reaches each
successive trophic
from the level
beneath it because
some of the energy at
the lower level is used
by the organisms to
perform work, while
some of it is lost.