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food web

Primary Information
Secondary Information

Definition

A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains. It shows how different organisms in an ecosystem are linked together by their feeding relationships.

Food webs are more realistic than food chains because they show that organisms can eat more than one type of food. For example, a rabbit might eat grass, but it might also eat leaves, fruits, and insects.

Food webs are also more dynamic than food chains because they can change over time. For example, if a new predator is introduced to an ecosystem, it might eat some of the prey that was previously eaten by other predators. This can cause a ripple effect throughout the food web.

Food webs are important because they help us to understand how energy flows through ecosystems. They also help us to understand how ecosystems are balanced and how they can be affected by changes.

How can the word be used?

The food web is a complex network of feeding relationships.

food web

Different forms of the word

Noun: food web, food webs.

Adjective: food-web.

Etymology

The word "food web" is a compound word that is made up of the words "food" and "web". The word "food" comes from the Old English word fōda, which means "nourishment". The word "web" comes from the Old English word webbe, which means "net" or "fabric".

Question

What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?

AQA Science Exam Question and Answer

Question:

Explain the concept of a food web and its significance in understanding complex ecological interactions. Describe how food webs differ from simple food chains and how they represent a more realistic portrayal of energy flow and feeding relationships in ecosystems. Provide real-life examples of food webs in diverse habitats and their role in maintaining ecological stability.

Answer:

A food web is a more comprehensive representation of feeding relationships in an ecosystem compared to a simple food chain. It shows the interconnectedness of multiple food chains, illustrating how different organisms are linked through various feeding interactions. In a food web, each species can have multiple predators and prey, creating a complex network of relationships.

Food webs provide a more realistic portrayal of energy flow in ecosystems, accounting for the fact that many organisms have diverse feeding habits and occupy multiple trophic levels simultaneously.

Real-life examples of food webs can be found in diverse habitats, such as a forest ecosystem. In this habitat, a food web might include plants, herbivores like deer and insects, carnivores like foxes and owls, and decomposers like fungi and bacteria.

Food webs are crucial in understanding the complexity of ecological interactions and the stability of ecosystems. They demonstrate the importance of biodiversity and the delicate balance between different species in maintaining ecological stability. Changes in one part of the food web can have cascading effects on other organisms, highlighting the interconnected nature of all life in an ecosystem.