ECOLOGICAL PYRAMIDS

& FACTORS AFFECTING POPULATION

SIZE IN AN ECOSYSTEM:
L.O
Compare the different types of ecological
pyramids- Energy, Number & Biomass
Draw and interpret ecological pyramids of
energy , mass and numbers
Identify factors that limit population size
ECOLOGICAL PYRAMIDS
An ecological pyramid is a graphical representation of the relationship between the different
living organisms at different trophic levels.. It can be observed that these pyramids are in the
shape of actual pyramids with the base being the broadest, which is covered by the
lowest trophic level, i.e., producers.
There are less number of organisms at the top of the pyramid because there is very little food
left for secondary consumers compared to the primary consumers. Similarly, there are fewer
consumers than producers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC8TwL49RFA
 Pyramid of numbers

In this type of ecological pyramid, the number

of organisms in each trophic level is
considered as a level in the pyramid. The
pyramid of numbers is usually upright except
for some situations like that of the detritus
food chain, where many organisms feed on
one dead plant or animal.
 Pyramid of biomass
This indicates the total mass of organisms decreases at each
trophic level. Usually, this type of pyramid is largest at the
bottom and gets smaller going up, exceptions The biomass of
one trophic level is calculated by multiplying the number of
individuals in the trophic level by the average mass of one
individual in a particular area.
 Pyramid of energy

An energy pyramid is a model that

shows the flow of energy from one
trophic level to the next along a food
chain. The pyramid base contains
producers—organisms that make their
own food from inorganic substances. ...
Thus, the higher the trophic level on
the pyramid, the lower the amount of
available energy
Why are ecological pyramids important?
They show the feeding of different organisms in different ecosystems.
It shows the efficiency of energy transfer.
The condition of the ecosystem can be monitored, and any further damage can be prevented.

FA:
 What is an ecological pyramid?
 Why is the pyramid of energy always upright?
 Why are there less number of organisms at the top of the ecological pyramid?
Factors affecting population
size in an ecosystem:
 RESOURCE AVAILABILITY & COMPETITION

Changes in the amount and availability of a given resource (e.g., less food) may
result in changes in the population of an organism
Less food results in fewer organisms. ..
. Resource availability may have effects on a population's rate of reproduction
Resource availability is one of the main factors determining the ecological
dynamics of populations or species. Fluctuations in resource availability can
increase or decrease the intensity of resource competition.
Resource availability and competition can also cause evolutionary changes in
life-history traits
Climatic Changes
One of the major concerns in the environment is the change in climate
seen as a result of increased greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide,
in the atmosphere.
These changes in climate represent an abiotic factor that has a
significant impact on various species. For example, the shrinking ice
caps, caused by increased temperatures in polar regions, have limited
the hunting range of the polar bear, which hunts on sea ice for seals. If
the ice caps continue to melt, the polar bear must either adapt, or it will
become extinct.
 Acid rain and Natural disasters
Acid rain can kill plants and animals. Fish populations in lakes and rivers may decline
because of the increased acidity, or pH levels, in the water, which are not within
tolerable ranges for the fish..
Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, volcanoes, fires, hurricanes and tsunamis, can
have significant impacts on species. These disasters are difficult to predict and may
completely destroy or forever alter an ecosystem. Species that are already endangered
may not be able to recover from a loss of habitat created by these forces.
 Invasive species and competition
Invasive species, which are plants and animals that are not native to an ecosystem,
may compete with native species for resources, such as food, and have no natural
predators to restrict their ability to breed and thrive. Invasive species may force out
or cause native species to become extinct.
All living things must compete for resources. In some ecosystems these resources
may vary from year to year. For example, rabbit populations in a forest may thrive
one year then have very few offspring the next. These fluctuations may also affect
the predators that feed on these prey items, These predators must either find an
alternate source of prey or risk starvation and death.
What happens when something in a food chain becomes extinct?

All living organisms hold a place in the food chain, structured around the transfer
of life-sustaining energy through an ecosystem: from sunlight to plant to
consumers
. Because this energy transfer involves members of the food chain interacting
with one another and their environment ,extinction of one species can have
effect on others.
When a predatory species becomes threatened or extinct, this removes a
check and balance in the food chain on the population of prey previously
consumed by that predator. Consequently, the prey population can explode.
Overall ecosystem instability due to reduced biodiversity ranks among the
consequences of species extinctions. As the number of species in a food chain
decreases, there are fewer sustainable alternatives for members of the food
chain that had depended on the extinct species.
Extinction of animal or bird species in the food chain may alter the physical
environment as well. Extinction of the birds had adversely impacted pollination
and seed dispersal.
 FA
1 . Why is it unusual for a large number of organisms to be present at the top of an
ecological pyramid?
A. Animals at the top of the pyramid are the largest.
B. Animals at the top have shorter lives.
C. The amount of energy available by the time the top of the pyramid is reached is
not enough to sustain many individuals.
D. Humans are most interested in hunting animals occupying the top level of the
ecological pyramid.
2. The biomass of an ecosystem is:
A. The total energy of living and nonliving components of the ecosystem.
B. The total energy of living organisms in an ecosystem.
C. The total mass of living and nonliving components of the ecosystem.
D. The total mass of living organisms in an ecosystem.
3. If the producers in ecological pyramid have a total of 80000 Kcal of energy, which
of the following would be true?
A. The secondary consumers would have a total of 80 Kcal of energy.
B. The tertiary consumers would have a total of 8 Kcal of energy.
C. The secondary consumers would have a total of 80000 Kcal of energy.
D. The tertiary consumers would have a total of 80 Kcal of energy.
 FA QS

a) Differentiate between pyramid of number and pyramid of biomass.

b) The figure represents a pyramid of energy. What could be ‘C’ here?
Mention the possibilities of B and A as well.

Why is the pyramid of energy always upright?

What do you mean by the term allelopathy?
Write a short note on hormonal and genetic factors on plant growth.