Habitats and Ecological Pyramids
This page discusses habitats and introduces the concept of ecological pyramids, specifically the pyramid of numbers and biomass in ecology.
Habitats are environments where specific organisms can grow and thrive. They provide all the necessary elements for survival, including appropriate light, oxygen, and water levels.
Definition: A habitat is an environment that provides the conditions necessary for an organism to survive and reproduce.
Key factors in habitats include:
- Abiotic factors: temperature, salinity, wind speed, rainfall, soil pH
- Biotic factors: bacteria levels, food availability, competition, predators
The pyramid of numbers represents the quantity of organisms at each trophic level in a food chain. Each bar in the pyramid shows the number of individuals at that feeding level.
Example: In a simple food chain, one sparrowhawk might feed on 5 bluetits, which in turn feed on 10 caterpillars.