A food chain is a basic network that shows the linear flow of nutrients and energy from one trophic level to another. A food web is a multitude of food chains that are interconnected at many trophic levels. Furthermore, a food web accurately represents all the various food chains that exist in an ecosystem.
Food chain:
- A linear pathway showing the flow of energy
- An organism of higher level trophic feeds on a specific organism of lower trophic level
- Has no effect on the adaptability and competitiveness of organisms.
Food web:
- A multitude of networks showing the flow of energy
- An organism of higher trophic level has access to more members of a lower trophic level.
- Has a role in improving the adaptability and competitiveness of an organism.