ecological pyramid (Eltonian pyramid) Graphical representation of the trophic structure and function of an ecosystem. The first trophic level, of producer organisms (usually green plants), forms the base of the pyramid, with succeeding levels added above to the apex. There are three types of pyramids: of numbers, of biomass, and of energy. The alternative name for the concept is taken from the name of Dr Charles Elton, FRS, the British ecologist who devised it.

ecological pyramid (Eltonian pyramid) A graphical representation of the trophic structure and function of an ecosystem. The first trophic level, of producer organisms (usually green plants), forms the base of the pyramid, with succeeding levels added above to the apex. There are three types of pyramid: of numbers, of biomass, and of energy. The alternative name for the concept is taken from the name of Dr Charles Elton, FRS (1900–91), the British ecologist who devised it.

ecological pyramid(Eltonian pyramid) A graphical representation of the trophic structure and function of an ecosystem. The first trophic level of producer organisms (usually green plants) forms the base of the pyramid, with succeeding levels added above to the apex. There are three types of pyramids: of numbers, of biomass, and of energy. The alternative name for the concept is taken from the name of CharlesElton, FRS, the British ecologist who devised it.

ecological pyramid See pyramid of biomass; pyramid of energy; pyramid of numbers.