Pyramid+of+Numbers


 * __Pyramid of Numbers __**

Definition- a model that shows the number of individuals at each level in a food chain or food web. A pyramid of numbers shows the total number of organisms at each level of a food chain or food web.

In ecology, a pyramid of numbers is used to show a food chain or web.

Usually, there are more than producers than tertiary consumers. The producers start off the pyramid and the number of consumers gets smaller after every stage. Common numbers in a pyramid of numbers would be 1 million producers, 10 thousand primary consumers, 1 hundred secondary consumers, and 1 tertiary consumer.

The reason for the smaller numbers going up the pyramid, is because there is less energy available.

The trees would be the producers; the deer, antelope, and other herbivores would be the primary consumers. The secondary consumers would be the beaver, fox, and other things. And the tertiary consumer would be the bear.

Pyramids of numbers aren't always shaped like a pyramid. They can also be written horizontally. Starting with the producers to the tertiary consumers, they can also be written like this:


 * clover** → **snail** → **thrush** → **hawk**