A triangle-shaped diagram shows meadow grasses at its wide base. Above it are a row of rabbits, mice, and grasshoppers. Above them are snakes. At the top of the triangle is a hawk or eagle.
a
The amount of biomass decreases at each trophic level in this ecosystem.
b
Third-level consumers in this ecosystem have the greatest amount of biomass.
c
The amount of available biomass is equal at all trophic levels in this ecosystem.
d
With each step to a higher trophic level in this ecosystem, the amount of biomass increases.
1 answer
The correct answer is:
a. The amount of biomass decreases at each trophic level in this ecosystem.
In a pyramid of biomass, the base represents the producers (like meadow grasses), and as you move up through the levels (herbivores, then carnivores, and finally apex predators), the amount of biomass typically decreases. This reflects the energy transfer process, where energy is lost at each trophic level, resulting in less biomass at higher levels.
