In an energy pyramid, which group is typically found at the bottom?

In an energy pyramid, producers are located at the bottom. This position reflects their role in the ecosystem as the foundation of the food chain. Producers, such as plants and phytoplankton, are organisms that convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis. They use this energy to grow and reproduce, making it available to the higher trophic levels in the pyramid.

The structure of the energy pyramid illustrates how energy diminishes as it moves up from one trophic level to the next. Since producers are the initial source of energy, they are essential for supporting all other organisms within the ecosystem. All consumers, whether primary, secondary, or tertiary, rely on the energy stored in producers to fulfill their energy needs. This fundamental position of producers highlights their critical importance in sustaining ecological balance and supporting biodiversity.