Food Webs

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What is a food web?

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A food web is a complex network of interconnected food chains that shows how energy and nutrients flow through an ecosystem.

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What is the role of producers in a food web?

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Producers, such as plants, use sunlight to create their own food through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food web.

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What is the primary source of energy in a food web?

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The primary source of energy in a food web is the Sun.

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What are consumers in a food web?

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Consumers are organisms that obtain energy by eating other organisms; they can be herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores.

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What is an invasive species?

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An invasive species is a non-native organism that, when introduced to a new environment, can disrupt the local ecosystem.

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How do invasive species impact ecosystems?

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Invasive species can outcompete native species for resources, disrupt food webs, and decrease biodiversity.

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What is the difference between a food chain and a food web?

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A food chain is a linear sequence showing how energy flows from one organism to another, while a food web is a more complex network of multiple food chains.

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What happens to a food web if a key species goes extinct?

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The extinction of a key species can disrupt the food web, leading to population declines or increases in other species and overall ecosystem instability.

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What is the significance of keystone species in a food web?

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Keystone species have a disproportionately large impact on their ecosystem relative to their abundance; their removal can lead to significant changes in the food web.

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What is the role of decomposers in a food web?

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Decomposers break down dead organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil and making them available for producers.