What is the term for a complex network of interrelated food chains showing the flow of energy between organisms?

A complex network of interrelated food chains illustrating the flow of energy among various organisms is referred to as a food web. This term captures the intricate relationships that exist within an ecosystem, where multiple food chains intersect and overlap, reflecting the reality that many organisms have varied diets and are part of several food chains.

In a food web, one can observe how energy is transferred from producers, such as plants, to various consumers, including herbivores and carnivores, as well as decomposers, which break down organic material. This interconnectedness highlights the complexity of ecosystems and the importance of each organism’s role in maintaining ecological balance.

Other terms, such as food chain, energy pyramid, and nutrient cycle, describe related but distinct concepts. A food chain presents a linear sequence of who eats whom, an energy pyramid visually represents energy distribution and loss at various trophic levels, while a nutrient cycle focuses on the recycling of nutrients in an ecosystem. All these concepts contribute to a comprehensive understanding of ecosystem dynamics, but the term that best encapsulates the intricate interrelationships of energy flow is the food web.