An autotroph is an organism that can produce its own food using energy from sunlight or inorganic compounds. They are also known as producers in the food chain.
Autotrophs occupy the lowest level of the food chain because they are able to produce their own food, making them self-sufficient. This means they do not rely on other organisms for energy, and they form the base of the food chain by providing energy for all other organisms.
The advantage of being an autotroph is that they have a constant source of energy. They are not dependent on other organisms for their survival, making them less vulnerable to changes in the environment.
Autotrophs obtain energy through the process of photosynthesis, where they use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose. Some autotrophs, such as chemosynthetic bacteria, obtain energy from inorganic compounds instead of sunlight.
If autotrophs were removed from the food chain, all other organisms would be affected. Without the base of the food chain, there would be no source of energy for other organisms to consume. This would result in a collapse of the entire food chain and potentially lead to the extinction of many species.