Food Chains and Food Webs (Part 2)

What You'll Learn

Food webs show the complex feeding relationships in an ecosystem. Unlike a simple food chain, a food web shows that most organisms eat more than one type of food.

Key Words

producer
consumer

Materials Needed

cups
water
plastic wrap
ruler
magnifying glass

Safety First

Wear safety goggles when mixing liquids.
Wash hands after handling materials.
Be careful with scissors — ask an adult for help if needed.

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Review the background information on Ecosystems before starting.

Step 2 — Do

Set up a composting experiment: place food scraps in one sealed bag and leaves in another. Observe decomposition over two weeks and record changes.

Step 3 — Observe

Look for patterns in your observations.

Step 4 — Record

Make a graph or chart showing your results.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What is the main source of energy for most food chains?