Ecological pyramids
Structure and function · Biology
Ecological pyramid
Interactive 3DClimb the trophic pyramid — only a tenth of the energy passes to each level.
Controls
Drag the sliders or type a value — the simulation updates live.
Study notes
A grassland pyramid of numbers is upright (many grass plants → fewer rabbits → one hawk), but a tree pyramid inverts — one banyan hosts thousands of insects and birds. Ocean biomass pyramids invert: tiny phytoplankton (small standing crop) support tonnes of fish — because they reproduce hourly. Energy pyramids never invert — the 10% law forbids it.