Food chain and food web

1. Food Chain

A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms where each organism is a source of food for the next in the chain.

It demonstrates how energy flows through an ecosystem step by step.

Levels:

Producers: Plants or algae that produce energy via photosynthesis.

Primary Consumers: Herbivores that eat plants.

Secondary Consumers: Carnivores that eat herbivores.

Tertiary Consumers: Carnivores that eat other carnivores.

Decomposers: Break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients.

Example of a food chain:Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Hawk

2. Food Web

A food web is a network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem.

It shows how energy flows through multiple pathways and highlights that most organisms have more than one food source or predator.

Food webs are more realistic than food chains because they reflect the complexity of real ecosystems.

Example of a food web:

Grass → Rabbit → Hawk

Grass → Deer → Lion

Grass → Insects → Frog → Snake → Hawk

Key Differences Between Food Chain and Food Web

Significance

Food Chains simplify energy flow.Food Webs show the stability and interdependence of an ecosystem. If one species is affected, it may disrupt the entire food web.

Both concepts are vital for understanding ecosystem dynamics, energy flow, and the balance of nature.