The flow of energy in an ecosystem starts with

The flow of energy in an ecosystem starts with producers, primarily plants and phytoplankton, which convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis. The energy then follows the food chain through various levels of consumers: primary consumers (herbivores), secondary consumers (carnivores that eat herbivores), and so on, ultimately ending with the top consumers or apex predators in the ecosystem. Additionally, decomposers play a crucial role in recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.