- #31
gracy
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say if my mass is 43 kg i will be eating 103 kg of biomass of plant per year?Bystander said:
Ecological Pyramids: Producers Outnumber Consumers?
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SUMMARY
The discussion centers on the ecological pyramid of numbers, emphasizing that producers outnumber consumers due to the fundamental principles of biomass and energy transfer. It is established that consumer mass cannot exceed producer mass, as consumers rely on producers for sustenance. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding both mass and biomass, with a focus on the ratios of producers to consumers, which typically remain consistent despite fluctuations in human population and environmental changes like deforestation.
PREREQUISITES- Understanding of ecological pyramids and their significance in ecology.
- Knowledge of biomass and its distinction from mass.
- Familiarity with energy transfer in food chains and ecosystems.
- Basic concepts of autotrophs (producers) and heterotrophs (consumers).
- Research the principles of ecological pyramids and their applications in environmental science.
- Study the differences between biomass and mass in biological contexts.
- Explore energy transfer efficiency in food webs and its implications for ecosystem dynamics.
- Investigate the impact of deforestation on producer and consumer populations in various ecosystems.
Students preparing for exams in ecology, environmental scientists, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of ecosystems and the relationships between producers and consumers.
- #32
Bystander
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Give or take a chef's salad.
- #33
gracy
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O k i understood why Consumer mass is never going to exceed producer mass. But why can't biomass of both producer and consumers be equal?Why there is so much difference?Bystander said:
- #34
gracy
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I didn't understand .Is this related with my question?Bystander said:
- #35
Bystander
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Yes, you said that at 43 kg you'd be eating 103 kg per year, and I agreed, "Give or take a salad," or one or two meals.
- #36
gracy
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if my mass is 43 kg i will be eating 103 kg of biomass of plant per year if i will be eating ONLY salad,otherwise very much than 103 kg.Right?please answer to my 33rd post.Bystander said:
- #37
gracy
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This indicates that there are much producers than consumers.This imply to most of the cases(ecosystem)there are only some exceptions as in oak tree.That's what my question is .Even though population has increased so much,deforestation is on it's peak but still there are lot more producers than consumers.Right?
- #38
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In this context, yes, still more producers than consumers. Deforestation hasn't decreased number of producers, it's just changed what plants are producing. Population doesn't mean just human population, it includes other animals as well.
- #39
fedaykin
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There are usually a lot less consumers, heterotrophs, than producers, autotrophs, because a portion of the energy will always be lost with each transfer. Some of it will be due to heat loss while other parts will be due the energy required to digest and process the producer.
- #40
aroc91
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There can be cases in which consumer biomass is greater than producer biomass, but it's only a temporary situation. If producers are killed off, consumers will decline in population as a response because they won't have as much food to support them.