English · Science & Technology
food web
/fuːd wɛb/
[/fuːd wɛb/]
network of feeding links
Intermediatenoun
Definition
A network showing how living things in an area depend on one another for food.
Example
Removing one predator can disturb the whole food web and cause unexpected changes in the ecosystem.
Removing one predator can disturb the whole food web and cause unexpected changes in the ecosystem.
Etymology
Combining 'food' (Old English 'foda') and 'web' (Old English 'webb', woven fabric).
How & Where It’s Used
A core concept in ecology, broader than a single food chain.