Cambridge Secondary (7-9). Stage 7. MCE Science. Workbook - Unit 5: Food Chains and Food Webs - Question 39

In a river habitat, tadpoles feed on waterweeds. Minnows, which are small fish, feed on waterweeds and tadpoles. Minnows are the prey of a perch, which is a bigger fish, as well as pikes. Perch also feed on water beetles, which prey on tadpoles. Pikes also feed on water beetles and are at the top of the food web.

What is the role of waterweeds in this food web?