food web

[ food web ]

noun

, Ecology.

1. a series of organisms related by predator-prey and consumer-resource interactions; the entirety of interrelated food chains in an ecological community.

food web

noun

1. a combination of food chains that integrate to form a network

food web

1. See under food chain

Word History and Origins

Origin of food web¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

However, the food web is complicated, and just because the warmer weather benefits the moths on paper doesn’t mean the moths will end up on top.

From Los Angeles Times

"Emperor penguins are at the top of the food web.They are a reflection of how lower levels of the marine food web are being impacted," Zitterbart said.

From Science Daily

Acidification, which is also harmful to sea life and can alter marine food webs, happens as ocean waters absorb carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas warming the world.

From New York Times

The basis of the marine food web in the Arctic, the phytoplankton, responds to heatwaves much differently than to constantly elevated temperatures.

From Science Daily

Scientists have found DDT in zooplankton and deep-sea fish off the coast of L.A., indicating the toxic chemical might be infiltrating the base of the food web.

From Los Angeles Times