Question

In a food pyramid there is typically less biomass at the top. In three to five sentences explain the phenomenon citing evidence relating to energy flows and how plants support ecosystem.

Answer 1

The phenomenon of less biomass at the top of a food pyramid can be explained by energy flows and the role of plants in supporting the ecosystem. Energy flows through an ecosystem from one trophic level to another, with each trophic level containing less energy than the previous one. This is due to energy being lost as heat or being used for metabolic processes. Since plants are primary producers, they convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis, and their biomass forms the base of the food pyramid. As energy moves up the trophic levels, less energy is available for consumption, resulting in smaller populations and less biomass at the top of the pyramid.