Question

The pyramid of number in a grassland ecosystem is:
A. Always erect
B. Always inverted
C. Either erect or inverted
D. Irregular

Answer 1

Hint: The total number of individual organisms at each level in the food chain of an ecosystem is defined as a pyramid of numbers.

Complete Answer:
- In a grassland ecosystem, the number of producers is always maximum followed by decreasing numbers at second level (herbivores), third level(carnivores) and apex.
- The Pyramid of numbers is the relationship between the number of producers, herbivores and carnivores at each trophic level. In the grassland ecosystem the vegetation is dominated by grasses and plants.
- The producers are maximum followed by primary consumers that are herbivores. The second consumers that are snakes are lesser in number and the final consumers’ hawks and other birds are least in number. So the pyramid of numbers in the grassland ecosystem is always erect and upright as shown in the above figure.

So the correct answer is A Always erect.

There are three types of ecological pyramids:
A. Pyramid of number - It shows the number of individual organisms at different trophic levels.
B. Pyramid of biomass - Shows decrease of biomass in each trophic level from base to apex.
C. Pyramid of energy- Indicates the amount of energy flow at each level as well as role of various organisms in transfer of energy.

Note: Classification of grasslands:
1. Flooded grasslands
2. Tropical grasslands
3. Temperate grasslands
4. Montane grasslands
5. Desert grasslands

Importance of Grasslands:
1. These are essential for prevention of floods and promote production of crops.
2. Grasslands provide us clean water.