Which organisms capture sunlight to begin energy transfer in most terrestrial ecosystems?

• A. Consumers
• B. Detritivores
• C. Producers
• D. Decomposers

Answer: (C)

Energy flow in most terrestrial ecosystems starts with producers capturing sunlight. Through photosynthesis, producers such as plants use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into chemical energy stored in sugars. This stored energy becomes the source for all other organisms when they eat the producers or organisms that have eaten them. Consumers obtain energy by consuming living or once-living organisms. Detritivores feed on dead material, and decomposers break down organic matter to recycle nutrients; neither group captures sunlight to start the energy transfer. Therefore, producers are the ones that begin the energy flow by turning light into usable chemical energy.