Question

In grassland ecosystem, the pyramid of biomass is:
A) Linear
B) Upright
C) Inverted
D) Inverted upright

Answer 1

Hint: The pyramid of biomass shows how much biomass,i.e., the amount of living or organic matter present in organisms. The pyramid of biomass can be inverted or upright depending upon the ecosystem.

Complete answer:
A pyramid of biomass depicts the relationship between biomass and trophic level. It is the total amount of living or organic matter in an ecosystem present in the unit area in different trophic levels. Let’s discuss given options and find the correct answer:

Option A: The pyramid of biomass cannot be linear as the biomass is calculated by the biomass of organisms multiplied by the number of organisms present at each trophic level. Therefore, this is an incorrect option.

Option B: The pyramid of biomass is inverted in a grassland ecosystem, where the producer occupies the highest biomass, followed by the primary consumers. The primary consumers are followed by secondary consumers and then tertiary consumers. As the biomass is calculated by the biomass of organisms multiplied by the number of organisms present at each trophic level. Hence, the biomass of the producer is much more than the primary consumers and decreases further sequentially in secondary and tertiary consumers. Hence, the pyramid of biomass in a grassland ecosystem is upright. Therefore, this is the correct option.

Option C: In the lake ecosystem, the pyramid of biomass is an inverted form. It is so because the producers in the aquatic system are tiny phytoplankton. These phytoplanktons grow and reproduce rapidly. Hence, the pyramid of biomass has a small base, with the consumer biomass exceeding the producer biomass. Hence, the pyramid takes inverted biomass. Therefore, this is an incorrect option.

Option D: The pyramid of biomass either can be inverted or upright. Therefore, this is an incorrect option.

Thus, the correct answer is option (B) Upright.


Note:The relationship between numbers, biomass, energy, or bio productivity of different trophic levels in an ecosystem is represented by a pyramid known as the ecological pyramid or Eltonian pyramid.