Question

Which one of the following is not a limitation of ecological pyramids?

• A. Saprophytes are not given any place of ecological pyramids
• B. It assumes a simple food chain, that almost never exists in nature
• C. It accommodates a food web
• D. It does not take into account the same species belonging to two or more trophic levels

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

It accommodates a food web

Answer 2

Ecological pyramids typically represent a simplified view of energy flow or biomass within an ecosystem. The limitations of ecological pyramids include:
No place for saprophytes: Saprophytes (decomposers) play a crucial role in nutrient cycling but are often not explicitly represented in ecological pyramids.
Simplified food chains: Ecological pyramids often depict simple, linear food chains, while in reality, ecosystems have complex food webs.
Ignoring same species at multiple trophic levels: Some species can occupy multiple trophic levels (e.g., an omnivore). Ecological pyramids often don’t account for this.
The statement “It accommodates a food web” is not a limitation; it would be an improvement if they did.