pyramid of numbers
pyramid of numbers A diagrammatic expression of the numbers of individual organisms present at each trophic level of an ecosystem. It is the least useful of the 3 types of ecological pyramid since it makes no allowance for the different sizes and metabolic rates of organisms. Typically, it slopes more steeply than the other pyramids and may be inverted, e.g. when based on studies of temperate woodlands in summer. Compare PYRAMID OF BIOMASS and PYRAMID OF ENERGY; see also ECOLOGICAL PYRAMID.
pyramid of numbers
pyramid of numbers A diagrammatic expression of the numbers of individual organisms present at each trophic level of an ecosystem. It is the least useful of the three types of ecological pyramid since it makes no allowance for the different sizes and metabolic rates of organisms. Typically it slopes more steeply than the other pyramids and may be inverted, e.g. when based on studies of temperate woodlands in summer. Compare pyramid of biomass and pyramid of energy; see also ecological pyramid.
pyramid of numbers
pyramid of numbers A diagrammatic expression of the numbers of individual organisms present at each trophic level of an ecosystem. It is the least useful of the three types of ecological pyramid since it makes no allowance for the different sizes and metabolic rates of organisms. Typically it slopes more steeply than the other pyramids and may be inverted, e.g. when based on studies of temperate woodlands in summer. Compare PYRAMID OF BIOMASS; PYRAMID OF ENERGY.
pyramid of numbers
pyramid of numbers A diagramatic representation of the numbers of animals found in an area at ascending trophic levels of a food chain (see illustration). Because only a small proportion of the energy taken in by an organism is converted to tissue and is thus available to consumers at the next trophic level, the number of organisms that can be supported at each level is generally much less than the number at the level that supplies its food (i.e. the level below). See also pyramid of biomass; pyramid of energy.
More From encyclopedia.com
Pyramid Of Biomass , pyramid of biomass A diagrammatic expression of biomass at different trophic levels in an ecosystem, usually plotted as dry matter or calorific value… Pyramid Of Energy , pyramid of energy A diagrammatic expression of the rates of flow of energy through the different trophic levels of an ecosystem. It reflects the rate… Trophic Level , A trophic level consists of organisms that get their energy from a similar source. Each step in a food chain is a trophic level. A food chain is a se… Atmospheric Convection , condensation level The atmospheric level at which condensation occurs as a result of convection, the lifting of air (e.g. orographic lifting), or ver… Elevation Potential Energy , elevation potential energy (elevation head) The energy possessed by a mass, e.g. a body of water, by virtue of its being raised above a particular da… Ecological Pyramid , ecological pyramid (Eltonian pyramid) Graphical representation of the trophic structure and function of an ecosystem. The first trophic level, of pro…
About this article
pyramid of numbers
All Sources -
You Might Also Like
NEARBY TERMS
pyramid of numbers