ecological pyramid

views updated May 14 2018

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

views updated May 17 2018

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

views updated Jun 11 2018

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

views updated Jun 08 2018

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ecological pyramid

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ecological pyramid