2.2.5—Producers

Producers make organic carbon compounds from inorganic inputs, introducing biomass and stored chemical energy into the food system.

Plants, algae and photosynthetic bacteria form trophic level 1; consumers depend directly or indirectly on their biomass.

An alga fixes CO₂ into biomass; a zooplankton eating it is a primary consumer at level 2.

No. They transform external energy and inorganic matter into organic compounds.

‘Producer’ means producer of biomass, not creator of energy.