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food web

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.

In a food web, each organism is linked to several other organisms. For example, a rabbit might eat grass, a snake might eat the rabbit, and a hawk might eat the snake.

Food webs are important because they show how energy flows through an ecosystem. The energy from the sun is captured by producers, such as plants, and then passed on to consumers, such as animals.

Food webs also help to maintain balance in ecosystems. If one organism in a food web is removed, it can have a ripple effect throughout the entire ecosystem.

How can the word be used?

The food web in the rainforest is very diverse.

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?