Marine Biology

 Pyramid of Number

A pyramid of numbers shows the number of organisms at each trophic (relating to nutrition) level. In pyramids of numbers, the number of individuals at the trophic level decreases from the producer level to the consumer level. In an ecosystem, the number of producers is far high and the number of consumers in the subsequent trophic levels, are lesser than that of the producers.

Example: In a pond ecosystem, the number decreases in the following order

Phytoplankton → Zooplankton → Small fishes → Large predatory fishes/ snakes