Which of the following best describes the role of a producer in an ecosystem?

In an ecosystem, a producer is primarily responsible for converting sunlight into chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis. This process involves the absorption of sunlight by chlorophyll in plants and some algae, which then use that energy to transform carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. The glucose produced serves as the primary energy source for all other organisms in the ecosystem, known as consumers, who cannot produce their own food.

By serving as the foundation of the food web, producers play a crucial role in supplying energy to the entire ecosystem, making them essential for the survival of various trophic levels. Without producers, the energy flow would be disrupted, leading to the collapse of the ecosystem.

In contrast, the other roles mentioned—consuming organisms, decomposing organic material, and acting as predators—are typically associated with consumers or decomposers, which rely on the energy established by producers. Thus, option A accurately describes the unique function of producers in an ecosystem.