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    Question

    In which ecosystem is the biomass of primary consumers

    greater than that of producers?
    A Grassland Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    B Desert Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    C Ocean Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    D Forest Correct Answer Incorrect Answer

    Solution

    In most terrestrial ecosystems (grasslands, forests, and deserts), the biomass pyramid is upright, meaning producers (plants) have the highest biomass, followed by primary consumers, secondary consumers, and so on. However, in an oceanic ecosystem, the biomass pyramid is inverted because: Producers (phytoplankton) have a very low biomass but a high turnover rate (they reproduce and grow rapidly). Primary consumers (zooplankton, small fish, etc.) have a greater biomass than phytoplankton because they consume producers faster than producers can accumulate biomass.

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