What is depicted by the pyramid of productivity?

The pyramid of productivity illustrates the flow of energy through each trophic level in an ecosystem. It represents how energy is transferred from one level to the next, beginning with primary producers at the base, such as plants, which convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis. As energy moves up the pyramid to primary consumers (herbivores) and then to secondary consumers (carnivores), there is a significant decrease in the amount of energy available at each successive trophic level. This is primarily due to energy losses through metabolic processes and heat.

By visualizing these relationships, the pyramid highlights key ecological principles, including energy efficiency, trophic interactions, and the limitations of energy availability for supporting various levels of organisms within an ecosystem. Understanding this concept is crucial for examining ecosystem dynamics and the sustainability of different species and populations.