Which term describes organisms that initially capture energy in an ecosystem?

Producers are the organisms in an ecosystem that capture energy, typically through the process of photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. They are primarily plants, algae, and certain bacteria that convert sunlight or inorganic compounds into organic molecules, providing energy and organic matter for themselves and other organisms in the ecosystem. This process forms the foundation of the food chain, as producers create the energy source that fuels all other organisms.

Without producers, the energy flow in an ecosystem would collapse since consumers, detritivores, and decomposers rely on the organic matter generated by producers for their survival.