Pyramid of Numbers (Extended Study)

From ZuluNotes - Free Leaving Cert Notes

Is produced when the number of organisms per unit area is counted at each trophic level in a food chain. each organism is represented by a horizontal bar. The width of each bar represents the number of organisms at each trophic level.

Limitations of a Pyramid of Numbers

1. There is often more than 1 organism at any trophic level in a habitat

1. It is difficult to count the exact number of grasses or alage plants accurately in a trophic level

1. It does not take into account the relative size of the organisms at each level.

1. The shape of a pyramid will vary according to the time of year