[2023-2024]

Program Name and Code: CO-5-I Academic Year: 2023-

2024 Course Name and Code: Environmental Studies (22447)
Semester: Fifth

MICRO PROJECT REPORT

ON
Concept of food web

Under the Guidance

of Prof. K. S. Chopade

In
Three Years Diploma Programme in Computer Engineering of
Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education, Mumbai
(Autonomous)
ISO 9001:2015 (ISO/IEC-27001:2013)
At
Government Polytechnic, Khamgaon
 MAHARASHTRA STATE BOARD OF TECHNICAL
EDUCATION

Certificate of Completion
Of Micro Project Assessment at the end of Semester Programme

This is to certify that Mr. Sushil Sanjay Rahatole with Enrollment No. 2100210108 has

successfully completed project for completion of Diploma in Computer Engineering from

Government Polytechnic Khamgaon Institute Code 0021 in subject Environmental Studies

(22447). In academic year 2023-2024 as per the MSBTE prescribed curriculum of I scheme.

Signature Seal of the Institute Signature

Head of Department Project Guide
(Prof.S.V.Paranjape) (Prof. K. S. Chopade)
 Acknowledgement

I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to our respected Principal Dr. S.S.
Prabhune as well as our respected Head of department Prof. S.V. Paranjape who gave us the
golden opportunity to do this wonderful presentation on topic ‘Ecological Pyramid’.

I would also like to express my thanks to our course teacher, Prof. K. S. Chopade to let us
perform some new things and complete this project. I am really thankful to them.

Secondly, I would also like to thank my parents and friends who helped me a lot in finalizing
this project within the limited time frame. They encouraged me for completing the Project by
performing my best.
 Index

Sr. Title Page

No. No.
1. What is Food Web? 01
2. Food Web Diagram 01
3. Example of Food Web 02
4. What is Food Chain 02
5. Difference Between Food Web and Food Chain 04
6. Importance of Food Web 05
7. Conclusion 07
8. Reference 07
 What is Food Web?

A food web is a comprehensive and complex representation of the interactions among various
species in an ecosystem, depicting the flow of energy and nutrients as they are transferred from
one organism to another. It is a more realistic and intricate concept compared to a simple food
chain, which only illustrates a linear sequence of who eats whom. In contrast, a food web
provides a more accurate portrayal of the interdependencies within an ecosystem, reflecting
the fact that most organisms have multiple predators and prey, and that energy and nutrients
move through the system in a more intricate manner.

Here's a detailed explanation of a food web:

Primary Producers: At the base of the food web are the primary producers, such as plants,
algae, and some bacteria. These organisms use sunlight through photosynthesis to convert
inorganic compounds like carbon dioxide and water into organic matter (glucose) to store
energy. They are autotrophs because they can produce their own food.

Primary Consumers (Herbivores): Above the primary producers are primary consumers, which
are herbivores that feed directly on plants and algae. These organisms obtain their energy and
nutrients by consuming primary producers. Examples include insects, rabbits, and many
species of fish.

Secondary Consumers (Carnivores): The secondary consumers are predators that feed on
herbivores or other carnivores. They are carnivores and can be divided into two categories:

Carnivores: These are animals that primarily consume herbivores. Examples include wolves,
lions, and hawks.
Omnivores: These are animals that consume both plants and animals. Examples include
humans and bears.
Tertiary Consumers: These are higher-level predators that feed on secondary consumers. In
some ecosystems, there may be further levels of consumers, including quaternary consumers
and so on, depending on the complexity of the food web.

Decomposers: These organisms play a vital role in the food web by breaking down dead
organic matter. Decomposers, such as fungi, bacteria, and detritivores (organisms that feed on
decaying organic matter), recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem. This recycling of nutrients
is crucial for the sustainability of the ecosystem
 Food Web Diagram

A food web diagram representing a simple interaction of 3 food chains.

Food webs are represented by distinct trophic levels, which can be divided into two main
categories as follows:

Autotrophs
Autotrophs in a food web are organisms that produce their own food by utilizing energy from
the sun. Also known as producers, they convert sunlight energy through photosynthesis or
utilize inorganic compounds via chemosynthesis to produce organic molecules, mainly
glucose. These organisms form the base of food chains and food webs, that provides energy
and nutrients for other trophic levels. Examples of autotrophs include algae and plants.

Heterotrophs
Heterotrophs in a food web are organisms that cannot produce their own food and depends on
autotrophs or other organisms for the food. Also known as consumers, they are divided into
various trophic levels based on their food behaviour in the food web as follows:

Primary consumers: These are also known as herbivores, directly feed on the autotrophs,
Secondary consumers: These are also known as carnivores. They feed on primary consumers.
For example snakes, wolves, fox, etc.
Tertiary consumers: These are also known as carnivores. They feed on primary consumers.
For example snakes, wolves, fox, etc.
Quaternary Consumers: In some ecosystems, a higher trophic level is present that preys on
tertiary consumers. These are known as the apex predators, often with no natural predators of
their own. For example human being.

Decomposers: In a food web decomposers break down dead organic matter and recycle
nutrients back into the ecosystem. This process is known as decomposition. For examples
fungi, and some bacteria
 Example Of Food Web

Some of the examples of food web are as follows:

Terrestrial Food Web: It represents interactions among organisms in terrestrial ecosystems.

1. Producers: Plants like Grass and Trees

2. Primary Consumers (Herbivores): Deer, Buffalo, Cow
3. Secondary Consumers (Carnivores that eat Herbivores): Fox, crocodile
4. Tertiary Consumers (Carnivores that eat other Carnivores): Tiger, Lion
5. Decomposers: Bacteria, Fungi

Aquatic Food Web: It represent interaction among organisms in aquatic ecosystem.

1. Producer: Phytoplankton (algae)

2. Primary Consumer: Zooplankton (small aquatic animals that eat phytoplankton)
3. Secondary Consumer: Small Fish (eats zooplankton)
4. Tertiary Consumer: Large Fish (eats small fish)
5. Apex Predator: Shark (top predator in this aquatic food chain)

Detrital Food Web: It represents interaction among organisms in detritus ecosystem.

1. Detritus: Fallen leaves in a forest.

2. Decomposer: Fungi and bacteria (break down detritus into organic matter)
3. Detritivore: Earthworm (consumes the decomposed organic matter)
4. Secondary Detritivore: Millipede, centipede (consumes partially decomposed organic
matter)
5. Tertiary Detritivore: Small animals (consumes millipedes and other detritivores)
 What is Food Chain?

A food chain represents the flow of energy and nutrients among different organisms in an
ecosystem. It demonstrates how energy is transferred from one organism to another as they
interact in an ecosystem. In a food chain, each organism represents a particular trophic level
according to is food behaviour.

Producers are living organisms that producers their own food by utilizing the solar energy
through the photosynthesis process. For example plants, green growth, etc.

Consumers are living organisms that cannot produce their own food and obtain energy by
consuming other organisms. For example lion, tiger, wolves, fox, etc.

Decomposers are the organisms that breaks down dead organic matter and recycles nutrients
back into the ecosystem. They are present at the last stage of the food chain, that breaks down
waste and remains from all other trophic levels. For example bacteria and fungi.

Fig. Food Chain

 Difference between Food web and Food chain

The difference between Food Web and Food Chain are as follows:

Features Food Chain Food Web

It represents linear sequence of It represents complex interconnection

Definition organisms where each feed on the of multiple food chains within an
one below ecosystem

Interconnected food chain representing

Structure Single direction of energy flow
multiple pathway

Trophic
Includes a few trophic levels Includes multiple trophic levels
Levels

Represents multiple feeding

Interactions Represents one feeding relationship
relationships

Energy flows in a single direction

Energy Flow Energy flows in multiple directions
through levels

Grass → Rabbit → Fox Plants → Herbivores → Carnivores →

Examples Phytoplankton → Zooplankton → Decomposers → Multiple species
Fish interactions

Helpful for understanding energy Essential for studying ecosystem

Importance
flow in a simplified manner stability, species relationships, etc
 Importance of Food web

Food webs forms the basic structures that determine the interactions between species and the
flow of energy and nutrients within ecological communities. It hold several significances,
including:

 Food webs demonstrates the flow of energy from one trophic level to another in a
complex manner. This energy flow determines the various ecological processes and
maintains the circulation of nutrients within the ecosystem.

 Species in a food web are interdependent. This interdependence helps to maintain the
population of any one species in the ecosystem.

 Ecosystems provide various services to the humans, such as food, water purification,
pollination, and carbon sequestration. The interconnected relationship within food
webs helps to maintain the ecosystem services.

 Food webs helps researchers identify keystone species and areas where more
conservation efforts should be made to maintain the health of the entire ecosystem.

 Food web is an indicator of the health of the ecosystem. Disruption in one trophic level
can affect the other trophic level or the entire food chain.

 It is also an educational tool to raise awareness about the importance of ecosystem.

 Conclusion

In conclusion, the concept of a food web is a fundamental and indispensable framework for
understanding the intricate interplay of organisms in an ecosystem. It offers a comprehensive and
realistic view of the complex relationships that govern the flow of energy and nutrients from one
species to another. Here are some key take away from the concept of a food web:

Interconnectedness: Food webs highlight the interconnectedness of all living organisms within an
ecosystem. No species exists in isolation; instead, they are linked through a web of predator-prey
relationships.

Energy Flow: Food webs depict the flow of energy from primary producers, through various
trophic levels, to higher-level consumers. This flow of energy is crucial for the sustenance of life
within an ecosystem

References

 https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/food-web/
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_web
 https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-biology/ecology-ap/energy-flow-through-
ecosystems/a/food-chains-food-webs
 https://www.treehugger.com/what-is-a-food-web-definition-types-and-examples-
4796577
 https://chat.openai.com/
 https://www.vedantu.com/biology/difference-between-food-chain-and-food-web