1. Let’s make a trophic pyramid!
Trophic Pyramid Notes
Let’s make a trophic pyramid!

2. Here are the steps… You will need three sheets of blank paper.
Fold the top of the first page down so that the paper is 8 inches high. 8”

3. Here are the steps…
3. Fold the top of the second page down so that the paper is 7 inches high. 7”

4. Here are the steps…
4. Fold the top of the third page down so that the paper is 6 inches high. 6”

5. Look at the teacher’s example –
Place the 2nd page inside the 1st page.
6. Now, place the 3rd page inside the 2nd
page.
Step 5.
Step 6.

6. Label:
Find the center of the top of the 1st page and draw a diagonal line to the bottom left corner.
Draw another diagonal line starting at the same place to the bottom right corner.
You have a triangle!!!

7. Within the triangle that you drew, label each tab of paper as follows:
Top tab of paper:
“6th Trophic Level - Top Consumer”
Label the next tab of paper:
“5th Trophic Level – Quaternary Consumers”
4. Label the next tab of paper:
“4th Trophic Level – Tertiary Consumers”

8. 5. Label the next tab of paper:
“3rd Trophic Level – Secondary Consumers”
6. Label the next tab of paper:
“2nd Trophic Level – Primary Consumers”
7. Label the bottom tab of paper:
“1st Trophic Level – Primary Producers”
On the top tab of paper, write:
“Trophic Pyramid Notes”

9. Take Notes: Underneath each tab of paper, copy
the notes for that trophic level from the Trophic Pyramid Notes which will follow.
Be sure that when all the tabs are
lying flat you will not be able to see
the notes.
Also, leave room to paste pictures of
organisms in each trophic level.

10. Trophic Pyramid Notes 1st Trophic Level – Primary Producers
- Autotrophs
- Always the bottom level
Produce energy by photosynthesis w/ the sun or chemosynthesis
Examples: phytoplankton, sea grasses,
& bacteria

11. Trophic Pyramid Notes
2nd Trophic Level - Primary Consumers - Herbivores - Eat plants or are filter feeders Examples: zooplankton, oysters, & tube worms

12. Trophic Pyramid Notes 3rd Trophic Level - Secondary Consumers
- Feed on Primary Consumers
Eat Herbivores
May be Omnivores
Examples: bay anchovy, menhaden, & sea otter

13. Trophic Pyramid Notes 4th Trophic Level - Tertiary Consumers
Feed on secondary consumers
Could be carnivores or omnivores

14. Trophic Pyramid Notes 5th Trophic Level - Quaternary Consumers
- Feed on Tertiary Consumers
- Carnivores
- Voracious & swift hunters – must eat a lot of prey to gain energy they require.
Examples: bluefish, striped bass

15. Trophic Pyramid Notes 6th Trophic Level - Top Consumers
- Nothing eats them as living adults.
- Always the top level of a trophic pyramid.
Examples: bull shark, humans

16. Pictures:
Now, cut and paste the pictures from the sheet provided into the appropriate trophic level. If you have time, you should color the pictures.