What is the primary function of autotrophs in an ecosystem?

Autotrophs are integral to ecosystems primarily because they convert light energy into food through the process of photosynthesis. This ability allows them to produce organic compounds, such as glucose, from inorganic substances like carbon dioxide and water, using sunlight as their energy source. By doing so, they serve as the foundational producers in food webs, creating energy that supports all other organisms, including herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores.

The role of autotrophs not only supports the primary consumers but also underpins the entire ecosystem by contributing to the energy flow. This conversion is essential for sustaining life, as it provides the necessary energy for growth, reproduction, and maintenance of biological processes in other trophic levels. Thus, the primary function of autotrophs is key to energy production within ecosystems.