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

The primary difference between a food chain and a food web is that a food web illustrates multiple feeding relationships among organisms in an ecosystem. A food chain typically depicts a single, linear pathway of energy transfer, showing how energy moves from one trophic level to another in a straight line, often from producers to primary consumers and then to higher trophic levels.

In contrast, a food web encompasses a complex network of multiple food chains and interactions, reflecting the reality of ecosystem dynamics where organisms can have various sources of food and multiple predators. This interconnectedness demonstrates the diverse feeding relationships in an ecosystem, showcasing how different species interact and rely on one another for energy and nutrients. This better captures the complexity of ecosystems compared to a simpler food chain.