TLS Online TPP Program

#Question id: 12968


Most terrestrial ecosystems have a pyramidal structure of where biomass of producers > primary consumers > secondary consumers > tertiary consumers. However, some aquatic ecosystems have an inverted pyramidal structure where the standing biomass of producers < primary consumers. An explanation for this is:

#Unit 10. Ecological Principles
  1. Greater efficiency of primary consumers in aquatic ecosystems 
  2. High turnover rates of aquatic producers relative to consumers 
  3. Low nutrient concentrations in aquatic ecosystems
  4. Very high light limitation in aquatic ecosystems