What are autotrophs known as in an ecosystem?

Autotrophs are known as primary producers in an ecosystem because they are organisms that can produce their own energy through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. They convert inorganic substances into organic matter, which serves as the base of the food web. This group includes plants, algae, and certain bacteria that use sunlight or chemical energy to synthesize food.

By being the first level in the ecological energy pyramid, primary producers support all other levels of consumers, which depend on them for energy and nutrients. Secondary and tertiary consumers rely on primary producers and other consumers for their energy needs and do not have the capability to produce energy independently. Detritivores, on the other hand, break down organic matter from dead organisms and waste, but they do not create energy through the processes that define autotrophs. Therefore, identifying autotrophs as primary producers highlights their critical role as the foundation of energy flow in ecosystems.