Question 1: Define a pyramid of biomass and explain its purpose in ecology.

Answer: A pyramid of biomass is a graphical representation showing the total mass of living organisms at each trophic level in an ecosystem, illustrating energy transfer and biomass distribution across levels.

Question 2: Describe how biomass typically changes as you move from producers to top predators in an ecosystem.

Answer: Biomass generally decreases at higher trophic levels because energy transfer is inefficient, leading to less biomass being supported at each successive level.

Question 1: A producer has a biomass of 5000 kg in a given area. If the biomass of herbivores feeding on it is 250 kg, calculate the biomass transfer efficiency (%) from producer to herbivores. Use the formula: (Biomass of herbivores / Biomass of producers) × 100

Answer: 5%

Question 2: If a secondary consumer has a biomass of 50 kg and the primary consumer it feeds on has a biomass of 250 kg, what is the percentage loss of biomass between these two levels?

Answer: 80%

Question 1: Describe a simple experimental setup to measure biomass in an aquatic ecosystem. Include variables to control and safety precautions.

Answer: An experiment could involve collecting samples of different trophic levels (e.g., phytoplankton, zooplankton, fish) using nets or sampling devices, then measuring their wet or dry biomass. Variables to control include sampling time, location, and environmental conditions. Safety precautions include wearing protective gear, handling equipment carefully, and avoiding contamination.

Question 1: In an ecosystem, the biomass of producers is 10,000 kg, primary consumers 2,000 kg, secondary consumers 400 kg, and tertiary consumers 80 kg. Comment on the shape of the biomass pyramid and what it indicates about energy transfer.

Answer: The biomass pyramid shows a steep decline at each trophic level, indicating energy transfer inefficiency and that much biomass is lost as heat. The pyramid shape confirms less biomass is supported at higher levels.

Question 1: Explain why pyramids of biomass are usually pyramid-shaped and how they differ from pyramids of number.

Answer: Pyramids of biomass are usually pyramid-shaped because biomass decreases at higher trophic levels due to energy loss during transfer. Unlike pyramids of number, which count individual organisms, biomass considers the total mass, providing a more accurate representation of energy flow and productivity in an ecosystem.

Question 2: A certain ecosystem has the following biomass values: producers 8,000 kg, herbivores 1,600 kg, carnivores 320 kg. Calculate the efficiency of biomass transfer between each level and interpret your results.

Answer: Producer to herbivores: (1600 / 8000) × 100 = 20%; Herbivores to carnivores: (320 / 1600) × 100 = 20%. This indicates a consistent 20% transfer efficiency, typical in ecological systems.

Question 1: Explain how understanding biomass pyramids can help in managing fisheries and preventing overfishing.

Answer: Biomass pyramids reveal the amount of biomass at each trophic level, helping managers set sustainable catch limits to prevent depletion of higher trophic levels and maintain ecosystem balance.

Question 2: Discuss how technological advancements in monitoring biomass can improve ecological conservation efforts.

Answer: Advancements such as remote sensing, satellite imaging, and bio-logging enable accurate, real-time monitoring of biomass in ecosystems. This data can inform conservation strategies, track changes over time, and help prevent habitat loss and species extinction.