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

A producer in an ecosystem is best described as an autotroph that creates its own food using sunlight. Producers, such as plants, use the process of photosynthesis to convert sunlight into energy, allowing them to create organic compounds from carbon dioxide and water. This process not only sustains the producers themselves but also forms the base of the food web, providing energy for all other organisms in the ecosystem, including herbivores and carnivores.

In contrast, the other options describe different roles within the ecosystem. Breaking down waste is the role of decomposers, which help recycle nutrients back into the soil. Consumers include animals that eat plants or other animals, but they do not produce their own food like producers do. Understanding the unique function of producers is essential in studying ecosystems, as they are crucial for energy flow and sustaining life.