A food web illustrates the interconnected feeding relationships within an ecosystem. Unlike a simple food chain, a food web shows how various plants and animals are linked through multiple pathways of energy flow. Organisms in a food web are categorized as producers (like plants), consumers (herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores), and decomposers (like bacteria and fungi), each playing a crucial role in maintaining the ecosystem's balance. Understanding food webs helps us appreciate the complexity and interdependence of life.
Match the terms with their correct definitions:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| 1. Producer | A. An organism that eats both plants and animals. |
| 2. Consumer | B. An organism that breaks down dead plants and animals. |
| 3. Decomposer | C. An organism that makes its own food through photosynthesis. |
| 4. Herbivore | D. An organism that eats other organisms. |
| 5. Omnivore | E. An organism that eats only plants. |
Complete the following paragraph using the words provided: energy, ecosystem, food web, consumers, producers.
A _________ is a network of interconnected food chains. It shows how _________ flows through an _________. _________ like plants, capture energy from the sun. _________ obtain energy by eating other organisms.
Explain how the removal of a keystone species (e.g., sea otter) from a food web can impact the entire ecosystem. Provide a specific example.
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