Download What is a Food Web?

Table of Contents
 Background
Information
 Types of Organisms
 Food Chains
 Food Webs
 Food for Thought
 Web Resources
Background:
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The basis of the study of ecology are interactions
between organisms with other organisms and with
their physical environment.
Every ecosystem is composed of numerous food
chains and food webs.
All organisms on earth survive through a transfer of
energy by participating in a food chain and food web.
The marine ecosystem has perhaps the most
intricate and complex food chains and web system.
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Types of Organisms:
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Producers: Organisms that make their own food through
photosynthesis.
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Consumers: Organisms that eat other organisms.
Consumer Levels: Primary,Secondary,Tertiary
3 Types: Herbivore-eats only producers
Carnivore-eats only consumers
Omnivore-eats both producers & consumers
Decomposers: Organisms that eat dead plants and animals, as well
as animal wastes (occurs on all levels). Ex: Bacteria,Scavengers
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What is a Food Chain?
 Describes
a group of organisms within
an ecosystem, each of which is
dependent on another for food and the
transfer of energy.
Food Chain Example:
Consumers
Sea grass
Producer
*Note:Arrows
Loggerhead Turtle
indicate direction of food (energy) flow.
Hammerhead shark
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What is a Food Web?
 A collage
of interrelated food chains in
an ecosystem that outline the feeding
relationships between various plants
and animals.
Food Web Example:
DECOMPOSERS
Throughout web
Loggerhead Turtle
Black tip Reef Shark
CONSUMERS
Barracuda
Reef Fish
Barrel Sponge
Manatee
PRODUCERS
Phytoplankton
Zooplankton
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Food For Thought
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Would humans fit into a food web? Where?
 What would happen if one or more of the
organisms were removed in a food web?
 Can you create your own marine food web?
Continuing Education with
Web Resources:
• Food Webs and Challenges of the Marine Communities
• Marine Food Webs in the Galapagos
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Works Cited:
• www.pass.leon.K12.fl.us
• www.oceansoasis.org
• Images from www.goggle.com