Question

Who proposed the concept of ecological pyramids?
A) Odum
B) Clements
C) Tansley
D) Elton

Answer 1

The graphical representation in the form of a pyramid shows the relation between the consumers and producers in an ecosystem called an ecological pyramid. Producers or first trophic level are present on the base of the pyramid and the last trophic level or top-level consumers are present on the apex of the pyramid.

Complete answer:
There are three types of ecological pyramids –
The pyramid of numbers represents the relationship between producers and consumers in an ecosystem in the form of a pyramid in terms of numbers. The pyramid of biomass represents the relationship in the form of the pyramid in terms of biomass. The pyramid of energy represents the relationship in the form of a pyramid in terms of the flow of energy.

Now, look at the option that we are provided with.
A) Odum – It is the father of modern ecology. According to him, the study of the structure and function of ecosystems is called ecology and the word ecology was first used by scientist Reiter.
B) Clements – Plant succession theory was proposed by Clements.
C) Tansley – Sir A.G. Tansley coined the term ‘ecosystem’ in 1935 to recognize the biotic community and its physical environment as an ecology fundamental unit.
D) Elton – He proposed the concept of ecological pyramids and that’s why it is called Eltonian pyramids.

So, the correct answer is option (D) Elton.

Note: There are many limitations –
i) It never takes the same species belonging to two or more trophic levels.
It assumes a food chain that is simple, which is never present in nature.
Saprophytes or decomposers play a vital role, they are not given any position in ecological pyramids.