UPSC Exam  >  UPSC Questions  >   With reference to ecological pyramids, consi... Start Learning for Free
With reference to ecological pyramids, consider the following statements:
In an aquatic ecosystem, the pyramid of biomass is always upright.
  • In all ecosystems of the world, the pyramid of numbers is always upright.
  • In a terrestrial ecosystem, the pyramid of energy is always inverted.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    • a)
      1, 2 and 3
    • b)
      1 and 2 only
    • c)
      1 only
    • d)
      None of the above
    Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
    Most Upvoted Answer
    With reference to ecological pyramids, consider the following stateme...
    The correct answer is option 'D', none of the above statements are correct. Let's understand why:

    1. Pyramid of Biomass in Aquatic Ecosystem:
    - The pyramid of biomass represents the total dry mass of organisms at each trophic level in an ecosystem.
    - In an aquatic ecosystem, the pyramid of biomass can be both upright or inverted, depending on the specific ecosystem.
    - In some aquatic ecosystems, such as lakes and ponds, the pyramid of biomass is often upright. This is because the biomass of primary producers, such as algae and aquatic plants, is greater than the biomass of herbivores and carnivores.
    - However, in other aquatic ecosystems, such as oceans and estuaries, the pyramid of biomass can be inverted. This is because the biomass of primary producers, such as phytoplankton, is relatively smaller compared to the biomass of herbivores and carnivores that feed on them.

    2. Pyramid of Numbers in Ecosystems:
    - The pyramid of numbers represents the number of individuals at each trophic level in an ecosystem.
    - In some ecosystems, the pyramid of numbers can be upright, where the number of individuals decreases at higher trophic levels.
    - However, in other ecosystems, the pyramid of numbers can be inverted. This can occur when the number of individuals at lower trophic levels is relatively smaller, but they have a larger biomass. For example, in a forest ecosystem, there may be fewer trees (producers) compared to the number of herbivores (consumers) feeding on them.

    3. Pyramid of Energy in Terrestrial Ecosystem:
    - The pyramid of energy represents the flow of energy through the trophic levels of an ecosystem.
    - In a terrestrial ecosystem, the pyramid of energy is generally upright, with energy decreasing at higher trophic levels.
    - This is because energy is lost as heat during each transfer between trophic levels, resulting in a decrease in available energy for higher-level consumers.

    In summary, the correct answer is option 'D' because all the given statements are incorrect. The orientation of ecological pyramids (biomass, numbers, and energy) can vary depending on the specific ecosystem and its dynamics. It is important to study and analyze each ecosystem individually to understand the unique patterns and relationships within it.
    Free Test
    Community Answer
    With reference to ecological pyramids, consider the following stateme...
    • Statements 1 is not correct: In most ecosystems, all the pyramids, of the number, of energy and biomass are upright, i.e., producers are more in number and biomass than the herbivores, and herbivores are more in number and biomass than the carnivores. The pyramid of biomass in the sea is generally inverted because the biomass of fishes far exceeds that of phytoplankton.
    • Statement 2 is not correct: An inverted pyramid of numbers can be found in an ecosystem where the community contains a few producers with very large biomass that support a larger number of smaller consumers. Also, energy at a lower trophic level is always more than at a higher level.
    • Statement 3 is not correct: Pyramid of energy is always upright, can never be inverted, because when energy flows from a particular trophic level to the next trophic level, some energy is always lost as heat at each step. Each bar in the energy pyramid indicates the amount of energy present at each trophic level in a given time or annually per unit area.
    Explore Courses for UPSC exam

    Similar UPSC Doubts

    Top Courses for UPSC

    With reference to ecological pyramids, consider the following statements: In an aquatic ecosystem, the pyramid of biomass is always upright. In all ecosystems of the world, the pyramid of numbers is always upright. In a terrestrial ecosystem, the pyramid of energy is always inverted. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1, 2 and 3b)1 and 2 onlyc)1 onlyd)None of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
    Question Description
    With reference to ecological pyramids, consider the following statements: In an aquatic ecosystem, the pyramid of biomass is always upright. In all ecosystems of the world, the pyramid of numbers is always upright. In a terrestrial ecosystem, the pyramid of energy is always inverted. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1, 2 and 3b)1 and 2 onlyc)1 onlyd)None of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about With reference to ecological pyramids, consider the following statements: In an aquatic ecosystem, the pyramid of biomass is always upright. In all ecosystems of the world, the pyramid of numbers is always upright. In a terrestrial ecosystem, the pyramid of energy is always inverted. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1, 2 and 3b)1 and 2 onlyc)1 onlyd)None of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for With reference to ecological pyramids, consider the following statements: In an aquatic ecosystem, the pyramid of biomass is always upright. In all ecosystems of the world, the pyramid of numbers is always upright. In a terrestrial ecosystem, the pyramid of energy is always inverted. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1, 2 and 3b)1 and 2 onlyc)1 onlyd)None of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
    Solutions for With reference to ecological pyramids, consider the following statements: In an aquatic ecosystem, the pyramid of biomass is always upright. In all ecosystems of the world, the pyramid of numbers is always upright. In a terrestrial ecosystem, the pyramid of energy is always inverted. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1, 2 and 3b)1 and 2 onlyc)1 onlyd)None of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for UPSC. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for UPSC Exam by signing up for free.
    Here you can find the meaning of With reference to ecological pyramids, consider the following statements: In an aquatic ecosystem, the pyramid of biomass is always upright. In all ecosystems of the world, the pyramid of numbers is always upright. In a terrestrial ecosystem, the pyramid of energy is always inverted. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1, 2 and 3b)1 and 2 onlyc)1 onlyd)None of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of With reference to ecological pyramids, consider the following statements: In an aquatic ecosystem, the pyramid of biomass is always upright. In all ecosystems of the world, the pyramid of numbers is always upright. In a terrestrial ecosystem, the pyramid of energy is always inverted. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1, 2 and 3b)1 and 2 onlyc)1 onlyd)None of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for With reference to ecological pyramids, consider the following statements: In an aquatic ecosystem, the pyramid of biomass is always upright. In all ecosystems of the world, the pyramid of numbers is always upright. In a terrestrial ecosystem, the pyramid of energy is always inverted. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1, 2 and 3b)1 and 2 onlyc)1 onlyd)None of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of With reference to ecological pyramids, consider the following statements: In an aquatic ecosystem, the pyramid of biomass is always upright. In all ecosystems of the world, the pyramid of numbers is always upright. In a terrestrial ecosystem, the pyramid of energy is always inverted. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1, 2 and 3b)1 and 2 onlyc)1 onlyd)None of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice With reference to ecological pyramids, consider the following statements: In an aquatic ecosystem, the pyramid of biomass is always upright. In all ecosystems of the world, the pyramid of numbers is always upright. In a terrestrial ecosystem, the pyramid of energy is always inverted. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1, 2 and 3b)1 and 2 onlyc)1 onlyd)None of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice UPSC tests.
    Explore Courses for UPSC exam

    Top Courses for UPSC

    Explore Courses
    Signup for Free!
    Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
    10M+ students study on EduRev