In a food pyramid, there is typically less biomass at the top. In 3 to 5 sentences explain this phenomenon, citing evidence relating to energy flow and how plants support ecosystems.
In a food pyramid, there is typically less biomass at the top because energy is lost as it moves up the food chain. This is due to the second law of thermodynamics, which states that energy is lost as it is transferred between trophic levels. Primary producers, such as plants, are able to capture solar energy through photosynthesis and convert it into chemical energy. This energy is then transferred to herbivores, which in turn provide energy to carnivores at higher trophic levels. As a result, there is less energy available at the top of the food chain, leading to less biomass in those organisms. Therefore, plants play a crucial role in supporting ecosystems by providing the foundation of the food chain and transferring energy efficiently to higher trophic levels.
