sciencegcse← Topic extras

Separate Biology · Paper 2 · Foundation + Higher · B7

Pyramids of biomass

Key ideas1 of 3

Represent mass, not head counts

A pyramid of biomass represents the relative mass of living material at successive trophic levels. Use comparable measurements, usually dry mass for the same area or habitat. Dry mass avoids differences caused simply by water content. A bar describes total biomass at a level, not the mass of one organism. Many small organisms can have a greater combined biomass than a few large organisms.

Dry biomass in a common sampled area: grass 800 kg, caterpillars 200 kg, birds 50 kg. Feeding route grass to caterpillars to birds.

Next: Biomass transfer and efficiency →
Practice, downloads and sources

Daily 5 · Exam practice · Revision sheet ↓

Foundation + Higher · B7. Use alongside the shared B7 lessons.

AQA GCSE Biology 8461 · 4.7.4.2. Original notes, questions and diagrams. Models are simplified; teaching data are illustrative.