Summary
An interlinked network of food chains showing feeding relationships in a community.
In depth
Webs show complexity, including omnivores and generalists. Species with many links are less vulnerable to a loss of one food source, but removing keystone species may collapse the web.
Webs can be used to study bioaccumulation and stability.
Webs help predict indirect effects: removing a predator can raise prey and reduce prey's resources. Web complexity differs between ecosystems.
Example: if sea otters decline, urchins rise, and kelp falls.
Frequently asked questions
What is Food Web?
An interlinked network of food chains showing feeding relationships in a community.
Which area of biology covers Food Web, and how advanced is it?
Food Web is one of the 54 topics in Ecology. It is rated Beginner, so it suits learners who are starting out in biology. Related topics in this area include Trophic Cascade, Keystone Species, Habitat and Niche.
Can you give an example of Food Web?
In the Arctic, the loss of sea ice affects algae, zooplankton, fish, seals and polar bears.
What should I learn before Food Web?
Food Web is a Beginner topic, so no earlier topic is required. Other Beginner topics in Ecology that pair well with it include Ecology, Ecosystem, Biotic and Abiotic Factors.
What topics are related to Food Web?
The closest topics to Food Web are Trophic Cascade, Keystone Species, Habitat and Niche, Allee Effect. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Food Web?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Food Web. To practise the whole of Ecology, use the Ecology quiz.
How is Food Web different from Trophic Cascade?
Food Web: An interlinked network of food chains showing feeding relationships in a community. Trophic Cascade: Top predator effects ripple down through lower trophic levels, as in wolves reintroduced to Yellowstone. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Food Web step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Trophic Cascade and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Ecology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.