Question

A graph representing trophic level numbers within an ecosystem. The primary producer level is at the base of the pyramid with the consumer levels above.

A) Ecological pyramid
B) Pyramid of Biomass
C) Pyramid of Energy
D) None of the above

Answer 1

An ecological pyramid, also known as an Eltonian pyramid, graphically represents the decrease in energy, biomass, or number of organisms at each trophic level in an ecosystem. The pyramid described by the student is a graphical depiction of energy distribution across trophic levels, with primary producers at the base. Based on the energy transfer efficiency, primary consumers would get approximately 10% of the energy from producers, or 100,000 kilocalories.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student has described a graphical representation showing the decrease from lower to higher trophic levels within an ecosystem. This is known as an ecological pyramid or Eltonian pyramid, and it can be used to depict the biomass, number of organisms, and the energy in each trophic level.

Specifically, the student is referring to an ecological pyramid that demonstrates how energy and biomass decrease from lower trophic levels (producers) to higher trophic levels (consumers). Given that the primary producers in the pyramid have 1,000,000 kilocalories of energy, the amount of energy available to the primary consumers can be calculated based on the ten percent rule of energy transfer between trophic levels. The rule of thumb is that only about 10% of the energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next, so if producers have 1,000,000 kilocalories of energy, primary consumers would have approximately 100,000 kilocalories available to them.