Question

Question

Why is the energy pyramid not a smooth geometric shape like a triangle but, rather, looks like narrow blocks stacked on top of wider blocks?
Responses

Energy decreases at each level, and only 10% remains from the previous level.
Energy decreases at each level, and only 10% remains from the previous level.

The sizes of each shape show how much is consumed (or produced) at each level.
The sizes of each shape show how much is consumed (or produced) at each level.

A triangular pyramid would reflect a food pyramid rather than energy flow.
A triangular pyramid would reflect a food pyramid rather than energy flow.

Lower levels have far more individuals, so the shape reflects their population size.

Answer 1

The best response to explain why the energy pyramid has a block-like appearance rather than being a smooth geometric shape like a triangle is:

Energy decreases at each level, and only 10% remains from the previous level.

This response emphasizes the trophic level concept in ecology, where energy diminishes significantly at each successive level due to factors like metabolic processes and heat loss. The “blocks” visually represent the substantial decrease in available energy, which correlates with the population and biomass of organisms at each level.