Food Web

A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains that depict the flow of energy and nutrients through an ecosystem. It illustrates the feeding relationships between different organisms in an ecosystem.

Components of a Food Web

1. Producers: Organisms, such as plants and algae, that produce their own food through photosynthesis.

2. Consumers: Organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms. Consumers can be classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary consumers based on their position in the food chain.

3. Decomposers: Organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, that break down organic matter and return nutrients to the soil.

Interconnectedness in Food Webs

Food webs demonstrate the interconnectedness of organisms in an ecosystem. They show how energy and nutrients flow from one organism to another, creating a complex web of relationships.

Impact of Changes in Food Webs

Changes in the population of one species can have cascading effects on the entire food web. For example, the decline of a predator species can lead to an increase in the population of its prey, which can then impact the populations of other organisms in the ecosystem.

Study Guide Questions

1. What is a food web and how is it different from a food chain?
2. Identify and describe the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers in a food web.
3. Explain the concept of interconnectedness in a food web and provide examples.
4. Discuss the potential impacts of changes in the population of a species on a food web.