How to Graph Ecological Pyramids

Ecological pyramids are graphs of food chains. For example, the plant-zebra-lion food chain can be shown by a three-layered ecological pyramid. Plants get their energy from the sun through photosynthesis, zebra eat the plants and lions eat the deer. The area of the pyramid’s segment represents the number in a certain group. Therefore, as you go up the food chain, the number of individuals normally decreases, resulting in a pyramid shape. Ecological pyramids can be graphed using many popular computer programs including Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint or Microsoft Excel. The instructions for all three programs are the same.

Instructions

1. Click on the “Insert” tab

2. Click on the “Smart Art” icon.

3. Scroll to the bottom of the chart selection area. Click on “Basic Pyramid.”

4. Click on the “Text” areas to fill in your pyramid with text. In the above example, "lions" would be at the top of the pyramid, "zebra" would be in the middle and "plants" would be at the bottom.

Tips & Warnings

• If you need to add a layer to the pyramid, right click on a layer and choose "add shape before" or "add shape after." This will add a layer above, or below, respectively.

References

• Washington University in St. Louis: Ecological Pyramids