Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is true?

  1. The number of living organisms continuously decreases as we move up an ecological pyramid

  2. The pyramid of biomass represents the biomass of an ecosystem.

  3. The pyramid of biomass represents the biomass of an species.

  4. The number of plants will be less than the number of cows in an ecological pyramid.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The number of organisms decreases at higher trophic levels due to energy loss (only about 10% transfers). This is why ecological pyramids are broader at the base. Option B is false because pyramids of biomass represent ecosystem biomass across trophic levels, not just one species. Option C has the same error as B. Option D is false because plants (producers) always outnumber herbivores in a stable ecosystem.

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