The significance of the ecological pyramid lies in its representation of energy flow and biomass distribution in ecosystems. It typically illustrates the different trophic levels of organisms, from producers at the base to apex predators at the top. This hierarchy indicates the amount of energy and nutrients available at each level, highlighting the inefficiencies of energy transfer—typically only about 10% of energy is passed to the next level. Understanding ecological pyramids helps in grasping the dynamics of food webs and the impact of changes in population sizes within ecosystems.