What process describes the act of animals eating plants?

The process that describes animals eating plants is herbivory. Herbivory specifically involves the consumption of plant material by animals, and it plays a significant role in ecological interactions and energy transfer within food chains. Herbivores, such as cows, deer, and rabbits, rely on plants for their energy and nutrients, contributing to the cycling of matter and energy in ecosystems. This interaction also influences plant population dynamics and can have various effects on plant community structure.

Hunting and predation relate to the act of animals consuming other animals, which is distinct from herbivory. Photosynthesis, on the other hand, refers to the process by which plants convert sunlight into chemical energy, producing glucose and oxygen—this is not related to how animals obtain energy. Thus, herbivory is the appropriate term for animals that consume plants, accurately reflecting the ecological relationship between herbivores and their primary food source.