Constructing Food Chains
Definition
Food chain
A food chain is a linear sequence of organisms, each feeding on the previous one, illustrating the flow of energy and nutrients in an ecosystem.
- A food chain begins with a producer, usually a photoautotrophlike a plant or algae, which converts sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis.
- This energy is stored in organic molecules, such as carbohydrates.
Definition
Food web
A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains, representing all the feeding relationships within a community.
Example: A Simple Forest Food Chain
- Producer: Oak tree (Quercus robur)-produces acorns.
- Primary Consumer: Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)-eats acorns.
- Secondary Consumer: Red fox (Vulpes vulpes)-preys on squirrels.
- Tertiary Consumer: Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo)-preys on red foxes.
- In this food chain, energy flows from the oak tree to the squirrel, then to the red fox, and finally to the eagle-owl.
- The arrows indicate the direction of energy transfer.
When drawing a food chain, always ensure the arrows point in the direction of energy flow, from the organism being eaten to the organism doing the eating.
Constructing Food Webs
- Food webs provide a more realistic representation of feeding relationships in a community.
- They illustrate how multiple food chains intersect, highlighting the interconnectedness of organisms.
