What does a ecological pyramid show that a food chain or food web doesn't show?

Answer 1

A food chain shows how energy passes from three three-four levels of an ecosystem - with only one living thing being in each level per food chain. These only describe certain animals. A food web links together multiple chains, showing how energy is passed throughout an entire ecosystem (or at least a part of it). In a nutshell, food webs indicate how energy is passed realistically, as chains limit down the realism.

Answer 2

An ecological pyramid shows:

There are fewer organisms due to energy being lost to the surroundings at each level of the pyramid.

The pyramid does not always look like a pyramid, which could happen if the producer was a large plant or a very small animal.

Pyramids put the actual numbers of organisms into perspective, unlike food chains or food webs.

Answer 3

An ecological pyramid shows the relative amount of energy or biomass at each trophic level within an ecosystem, highlighting the diminishing energy as you move up the pyramid. This information is not readily apparent in a food chain or food web, which just illustrate the flow of energy and nutrients between species.

Answer 4

Interespecific competition for the same prey or plants as food source. It also gives a better insight to their niche.