the.com/food chain
nature's org chart, except the intern eventually eats the ceo's remains.
means a linear sequence showing who eats whom, from sunlight-capturing plants up through predators, with energy leaking out at every step.
from the phrase entered ecology in the 1920s via Charles Elton, who pictured feeding relationships as literal chains linking species, though real ecosystems tangle into webs, not neat lines.
energy lossonly about 10 percent transfers to the next level
why so shortchains rarely exceed 4-5 links before energy runs out
apex mythtop predators still feed decomposers and scavengers eventually
for instance
antarctic krill chain — phytoplankton to krill to whales, four links total
savanna grass chain — grass to zebra to lion across the serengeti
kelp forest chain — kelp to sea urchin to sea otter off california