An inverted biomass pyramid may exist in aquatic systems because
A)zooplankton are much larger than phytoplankton.
B)phytoplankton are heavily grazed and biomass can't accumulate.
C)more energy is inputted through allochthonous processes.
D)of none of the above. This cannot happen as it goes against the 2ⁿᵈ law of thermodynamics.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In aquatic systems, phytoplankton are at the base of the food chain and provide the energy source for higher trophic levels. However, they are heavily grazed upon by zooplankton and other organisms, which can lead to a situation where the biomass of the grazers exceeds that of the producers. This results in an inverted pyramid, with higher trophic levels having more biomass than lower trophic levels. This is in contrast to the typical pyramid structure seen on land, where producers have the most biomass and each subsequent trophic level has less.

An Inverted Biomass Pyramid May Exist in Aquatic Systems Because