The energy transfer in a(n) _____ is more complex than energy transfer in a food chain because the interaction between many organisms is considered.

In an ecosystem, we have many interactions between organisms, including producers, consumers, detritivores, etc. These interactions can be studied in terms of food chains and food webs. In a food chain, only a particular set of organisms are involved. For example, a food chain in a grassland may include grass (producer), rabbits (primary consumer) and wolves (secondary consumer). This food chain will only consider these organisms. However, in an ecosystem, many organisms interact with each...

In an ecosystem, we have many interactions between organisms, including producers, consumers, detritivores, etc. These interactions can be studied in terms of food chains and food webs. In a food chain, only a particular set of organisms are involved. For example, a food chain in a grassland may include grass (producer), rabbits (primary consumer) and wolves (secondary consumer). This food chain will only consider these organisms. However, in an ecosystem, many organisms interact with each other, either as competitors, prey or predator, etc. The interactions between different food chains or organisms at a much larger level is studied by using food webs. In a food web, various food chains interact with each other. For example, the same grass can be eaten by cows, rabbits, sheep, goats and other herbivores. All such herbivores are preys for a carnivore such as a wolf, tiger, lion, etc. 

Thus, the study of energy interactions is more complex in the case of a food web as compared to a food chain, since many organisms are interacting.

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