In a good pyramid there is typically less biomass at the top. In three to give sentences explain the phenomenon citing evidence relating to energy flow and how plants support ecosystems

1 answer

This phenomenon can be explained by the principles of energy flow in ecosystems, where energy is lost as it is transferred from one trophic level to the next. Plants, as primary producers, harness sunlight to convert energy into food through photosynthesis. This creates a strong foundation for the ecosystem by supporting a large amount of biomass at the bottom of the pyramid. As energy moves up the trophic levels, there is less biomass available at higher levels due to energy loss, ultimately resulting in a smaller population of top predators compared to primary producers. This can be observed in a food pyramid where plants form the base, supporting a larger number of consumers at lower trophic levels, with fewer individuals occupying the higher levels.