Question 1: What is a Pyramid of Biomass, and how does it differ from a Pyramid of Numbers?

Answer: A Pyramid of Biomass is a graphical representation showing the total mass of living organisms at each trophic level in an ecosystem. Unlike a Pyramid of Numbers, which counts individual organisms, it measures the actual mass (usually in grams or kilograms) of biomass.

Question 2: Describe the primary mechanism that causes biomass to decrease at higher trophic levels.

Answer: Biomass decreases at higher trophic levels mainly due to energy loss during energy transfer, leading to less biomass being available for predators compared to prey.

Question 1: If a producer biomass is 5000 kg and the biomass at the primary consumer level is 500 kg, what is the percentage biomass transfer from producer to primary consumer?

Answer: 10%

Question 2: Given a secondary consumer biomass of 50 kg and a primary consumer biomass of 500 kg, calculate the biomass transfer efficiency percentage.

Answer: 10%

Question 1: Outline the safety precautions that should be taken when collecting biomass samples from a natural habitat.

Answer: Precautions include wearing gloves, using proper tools to avoid injury, ensuring sample collection does not harm the environment, and following ethical guidelines for wildlife.

Question 2: Explain how small changes in biomass at each trophic level can impact the entire ecosystem.

Answer: Small reductions in biomass at lower trophic levels can lead to significant declines in higher levels due to limited energy transfer, potentially causing ecosystem imbalance, reduced biodiversity, and collapse of certain populations.

Question 1: In an aquatic ecosystem, the biomass of phytoplankton is 2000 g/m^2, herbivorous zooplankton is 200 g/m^2, and small fish are 20 g/m^2. Analyze the biomass transfer efficiency between each trophic level.

Answer: Biomass transfer efficiency from phytoplankton to zooplankton is 10% (200/2000 * 100%), and from zooplankton to small fish is 10% (20/200 * 100%).

Question 1: Explain why biomass pyramids are often pyramid-shaped in natural ecosystems. Include in your answer the concepts of energy transfer and biomass loss.

Answer: Biomass pyramids are often pyramid-shaped because energy transfer between trophic levels is inefficient, typically around 10%. As energy is lost as heat during metabolic processes, less biomass is available at higher levels, resulting in a pyramid shape.

Question 2: Discuss how understanding biomass pyramids can assist in sustainable fishing practices.

Answer: Understanding biomass pyramids helps in setting sustainable catch limits to prevent overfishing, ensuring that biomass at each trophic level remains balanced and the ecosystem remains healthy.