The sun is the primary source of energy for nearly all ecosystems on Earth, which is why every food chain starts with it. The energy from sunlight is captured by plants through the process of photosynthesis. In this process, plants convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen, forming the base of the food chain.
Plants, or producers, are essential because they can create energy from sunlight, which is not possible for organisms like animals. These plants are then eaten by herbivores, which are in turn consumed by carnivores. As a result, the energy captured by the sun flows through the food chain, sustaining various forms of life.
Without the sun’s energy, life as we know it would not exist, as there would be no producers to start the chain that ultimately feeds all consumers, from the smallest insects to the largest mammals.