How does energy primarily flow through an ecosystem?

Energy primarily flows through an ecosystem starting with producers, which are typically plants and photosynthetic organisms that convert sunlight into chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis. These producers form the base of the food web, capturing energy from the sun and using it to create organic matter.

As energy moves through the ecosystem, it then transfers to consumers, which include herbivores (primary consumers) that eat the producers, and subsequently to carnivores (secondary and tertiary consumers) that eat other consumers. This flow of energy is vital for the maintenance of ecological balance, as it supports the various trophic levels of organisms and their interactions.

The option describing energy transfer from producers to consumers reflects the foundational principle of energy flow in ecosystems, illustrating how energy is captured from the environment and channeled through various organisms. This transfer is crucial for sustaining life, supporting growth, and enabling reproduction within the ecosystem.