Food Chains and Ecosystems in Nature

A food chain shows how energy moves between living things. It usually starts with plants and moves to animals that eat them. Each step depends on the one before it. Food chains exist in every ecosystem.

Plants are called producers. A producer is a living thing that makes its own food using sunlight. They are the first step in most food chains. Without producers, ecosystems could not survive.

Animals like rabbits are herbivores. A herbivore is an animal that eats only plants. They get energy directly from producers. Many herbivores are prey for larger animals.

Animals like lions are carnivores. A carnivore is an animal that eats other animals. They are often at the top of food chains. Carnivores help control animal populations.

All living things in nature are part of an ecosystem. An ecosystem is a group of living things and their environment working together. It keeps nature balanced. Healthy ecosystems support many different species.