Importance of the Food Web

A food web is a scheme of food relationships between the different organisms that make up a ecosystem. In this way, a food web will account for the links between producer organisms, consumers and decomposers, establishing the way in which one feeds on the other. It is for this circumstance that a food web can be understood as a series of interrelated food chains in such a way that a greater complexity is evident in this regard.

In some contexts, understanding how a food chain develops can be of great importance for have an idea of ​​the possible consequences that an ecosystem may suffer from the actions of the hand of the man.

Food chain, on the rules of nutrition

A food chain refers to the relationships of nutrition than a series of living beings establish with each other; These beings can be producers, first or second order consumers or decomposers.. In other words, within the chain each of the organisms is fulfilling a specific and highly relevant function: the producers will be those living beings capable of transform inorganic matter into organic matter, first-order consumers will be those who eat plants, second-order consumers will be those who feed on first order consumers and finally the decomposers will be those that feed on all and in the process transform organic matter into matter inorganic.

Food web, when organisms come into play

As we can see, a series of organisms that linearly occupy a function are established in a food chain. Nevertheless, The reality of an ecosystem can be enormously complex and it is at this point where the so-called food web breaks in.

In this case, reference will be made to all organisms and their possibilities of nutrition.. In this way, each organism will be able to have more nutrition alternatives and also be the fundamental part of the diet of a large number of organisms. It is for this circumstance that the best concept to refer to this situation is that of network.

The food web can be severely affected as a result of human activity. Indeed, the introduction or elimination of a species can significantly change the food web, causing some organisms to become pests or to disappear. It is for this circumstance that it must be taken with due consideration any type of project that has a significant effect on this system if what it wants is to foresee disastrous consequences.