Food Webs

Energy flows through an entire ecosystem in a complex network of feeding relationships called food webs. Many different food chains are found within a food web.

Producers are at the base of the food web. First-level consumers are primarily herbivores.

Higher-level consumers are typically omnivores and carnivores.

Decomposers such as worms, fungi and bacteria are also included in a food web.

Many animals feed on organisms from different trophic levels. For example, the raccoon eats organisms from both the producer and consumer levels.