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A food web consists of all the food chains in a single ecosystem. Each living thing in an ecosystem is part of multiple food chains. Let's see how we are connected to this complex network!
A food web consists of all the food chains in a single ecosystem. Each living thing in an ecosystem is part of multiple food chains. Let's see how we are connected to this complex network!
Top of the Heap
Top of the Heap
In a little bit you will be learning to make and building your own food web. For this activity you will need a friend, sibling, or parent to play the game (or you can play against yourself). In the game you will be taking a trip to the savannah. Sound like quite the adventure! But first, check out one of our favorite and humorous looks at food chains.
Pretty amusing, right? Imagine this happening on your dining room table. Picture seeing a cheeseburger hunting down your chicken nuggets or watching your french fries chilling in your milkshake! Obviously this is a silly example of how food webs work, but, in reality, outside of your home are countless types of food chains and webs in a constant state of flux. From your backyard, to the countryside, to the parks inside of towns and cities - within these webs is an intricate system of checks and balances that nature provides.
Linking Up the Chain
Linking Up the Chain
We need to take a leap from our kitchen tables and into the reality of food chains in the natural world. In the video to the left we will explore these key concepts in more depth:
Energy moving from Producers all the way up to Apex Predators and Decomposers and back;
The flow of energy to and from each member on the chain;
From simple changes to complex changes to a natural ecosystem web.
What a Tangled Web
What a Tangled Web
So what happens in a particular case when one organism belongs to more than one food chain? In such cases where multiple food chains intersect we describe them as being food webs, where all the possible flows of energy are shown. In the video below you will find more in-depth information regarding an organism's impact in two intersecting food chains, a.k.a., a food web.
As you watch, consider the following:
How one organism may be part of many food chains;
How food webs are influenced by herbivores, carnivores and omnivores:
How organisms depend on one another within a food web.
Time for a Food Fight!!
Time for a Food Fight!!
The game you will be playing will pit you as an animal of your choice against another animal of your opponent's choice. The goal is to outscore your opponent by setting up a food web that will benefit your organism. Pay attention to what your organism's specific needs are (e.g., if it eats bugs then what kind of plants will attract its prey?).
Before you jump in and play this game, we have a few expectations for you to follow while you play. Don't worry you can play for fun as well, but give these a try first:
Play the 14 round version 2 to 3 times
Play your favorite animal but also try being a carnivore, herbivore, big vs. small critter
Pay attention to what your animal's predator and prey relationships
You won't get points until your animal is on the board so use your turns wisely
You can play two ways: attack or defense (build your animal or attack your opponent)
BOTH you and your opponent must use a wild card before your turns are up
Good luck, and have fun!
Last but not least, CLICK HERE TO PLAY FOOD FIGHT
Food Web in Your Fridge
Food Web in Your Fridge
I know, I know! You're thinking, "There are no live animals in my fridge"! Well I'm here to tell you that you can definitely find a few different levels of a food web and/or food chain in your fridge. The animals I'm talking about are just in egg form or perhaps packaged differently. You may have some fruits and veggies too!
With all of the things in your refrigerator, freezer or cupboards I'm sure you will succeed!
What to Do?
What to Do?
Grab something to write with and to write on.
Pull out 5 to 6 things that you believe to be in a food chain or food web.
Look for the relationships between them.
Sketch out your relationships in either a web or chain form.
Does your refrigerator have more producers or more consumers?
Example: carrot → rabbit ← corn → pig ← fish ← bread (grain)
Omnivore = pig, fish; Producers = carrot, bread; Herbivore = rabbit
What is black; white; green and bumpy?
What is black; white; green and bumpy?
A pickle wearing a tuxedo
A pickle wearing a tuxedo
Outdoor Adventure Challenge
Outdoor Adventure Challenge
Time to get your hands dirty. There are a variety of organisms that can be found inside as well as beneath rotting pieces of wood. Watch the video below for some guidelines regarding how to get the most from your rotten log experience!
What Are We Up To?
What Are We Up To?
Check Out this Rotten Log!
Check Out this Rotten Log!
Review and Reflection (Food for Thought)
Review and Reflection (Food for Thought)
What a day! From food fights to rotten logs - we have seen some stuff! As we think back over our experience, I want you to ask yourself a few questions:
How does the availability of a resource affect a food web?
How does competition affect a food web?
Where would humans show up on a food web?
What are the feeding levels that exist in any food chain (i.e., what word is used to describe a plant-eater)?
Which is more important, the bottom (base) or the top (apex) of a food web?
In the Food Fight game, how would the outcomes have differed if you had played as an herbivore vs another herbivore, as a carnivore vs another carnivore, or as a carnivore vs an herbivore? How about playing as an omnivore in any of these cases?
Quick Quiz
Quick Quiz
We have no doubt you will be awesome! Take a second to review you content above and then give the quiz try!
About the Author
About the Author
Bumblebee*
Bumblebee*
Bumblebee grew up in a small town Ohio. After high school Bee went to Hocking Hills where he studied Massage Therapy and Business Management. After that Bee became a worker bee and worked in a factory for a few years. After working in a factory setting Bee craved to return to the outdoors. In 2016 Bumblebee went out west to Arizona and worked for ACE (American Conservation Experience). There he learned Sawyer skills, herbicide handling, along with forestry skills and trail building and maintenance. After returning to Ohio, Bee wanted to stay outdoors that is when he found Nuhop. For the past 3 years Bumblebee has worked on both the Spring as well as Fall Outdoor Education teams. Bee also works for the Summer Camp portion of Nuhop.
Prickly Pear*
Prickly Pear*
*The Nuhop Outdoor Education Staff use "nature names" when working with students. The reason for these nature names is twofold: first it gives them a built-in conversation starter with students, and second, it provides them a level of personal privacy when working with over 4000 students in a given year.
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