4 ecological pyramids and efficiency

Question 1

distinction between plant- and detritus-based systems

Answer 1

*the plant-based system: a one-way flow of energy
*the detritus-based system: unconsumed production are again
utilized by decomposers until either respired away or incorporated into soil ,energy flow has a strong recycling component, due to the efficient utilization of carbon,it accounts for most of the energy flow in ecosystems

Question 2

defination of ecological pyramids

Answer 2

graphically show a definite trophic structure based on the food chain phenomena of energy loss at each transfer

Question 3

three types of Ecological Pyramids

Answer 3

➢ The pyramid of numbers
➢ The pyramid of biomass (g)
➢ The pyramid of energy which shows the rate of
energy flow (gives the best depiction of the functional nature of
ecosystems)(cal/kcal)
*Numbers and energy pyramids typically have an upright pyramid shape
*Numbers and biomass pyramids give a picture of organisms present at a time
*Biomass pyramids may be inverted if on average producer organisms are smaller than consumers in individual size
*the energy pyramid is unaffected by variations in the size and metabolic rate of individuals

Question 4

metabolism rate in small organism

Answer 4

the rate of metabolism per organism increase with a
decrease in size and vice versa because larger organisms having less surface area per gram for diffusion

Question 5

importance of ecological efficiency

Answer 5

➢ Not all the biomass produced at one trophic level is
consumed at the next trophic level (Consumption Efficiency )
➢ Of the biomass consumed, only some is digested
and assimilated ( Assimilation Efficiency)
➢ Only some of the energy assimilated is converted
into animal biomass (Production Efficiency)

Question 6

differences of ecological efficiency

Answer 6

*consumption efficiency varies due to differences in allocation to woody structures and chemical defense by plants, highest in ocean ecosystems, higher in carnivores
*Assimilation efficiency is influenced by the quality of the food and the physiology of the consumer, higher in carnivores
*Production efficiency is influenced mainly by animal metabolism, lost as respiratory heat, decreases with
*The detritus-based trophic system has higher trophic efficciency