Why are ecological pyramids shaped as pyramids?

A) because there is a large decrease in the amount of energy or biomass as you move from one trophic level up to the next?

B) because the movement of energy through the biosphere follows a path similar in shape to a pyramid

C) because decomposers form a wide base of support at the bottom of a food web similar to the base of a pyramid

D) because a pyramid represents a stable building form that is similar to the structure of a stable ecosystem

Question

Biology

Steve Le

18 November, 18:27

Why are ecological pyramids shaped as pyramids?

A) because there is a large decrease in the amount of energy or biomass as you move from one trophic level up to the next?

B) because the movement of energy through the biosphere follows a path similar in shape to a pyramid

C) because decomposers form a wide base of support at the bottom of a food web similar to the base of a pyramid

D) because a pyramid represents a stable building form that is similar to the structure of a stable ecosystem

+2

Answers (2)

Know the Answer?

Leanna Leon · Answer 1

The answer is A

This is because 90% of energy is lost when we go up one trophic level. This means that even the the consumers tend to be larger in size, they are fewer in number and need to eat more in order to sustain themselves.

Eva Sims · Answer 2

The correct answer would be A. "There is a large decrease in the amount of energy or biomass as you move ..."