Q.Shape of pyramid in a particular ecosystem is always different in shape. Explain with example.

Step 1. A pyramid of number graphs the number of organisms present at each successive trophic level of an ecosystem, and its shape is determined entirely by how those numbers actually compare from one level to the next.

Step 2. In a grassland or pond ecosystem, numbers decrease steadily from producers to primary, secondary and finally tertiary consumers, giving a simple, broad-based, upright pyramid.

Step 3. In a forest ecosystem, the base (producers, T1) is occupied by a relatively small number of very large trees, while herbivores (T2, e.g. fruit-eating birds, elephants, deer) actually outnumber those trees, and tertiary consumers (T4, e.g. lions) are again fewer in number than the secondary consumers (T3, e.g. foxes and snakes) below them — this alternating wide/narrow pattern produces a spindle shape rather than a clean upright triangle.

Step 4. In a parasite ecosystem, the pyramid starts from a single large host organism (such as one tree) and the number of organisms then increases at each successive level, as progressively smaller and more numerous parasites and hyperparasites are added — giving an inverted pyramid, the opposite of the grassland/pond pattern. …

Work through the three named pyramid-of-number shapes (grassland/pond, forest, parasite) and explain why each ecosystem's own body-size/count relati …

• Assuming the pyramid of number is always upright like the pyramid of energy, missing that number-based pyramids specifically CAN …