Producers, such as plants, make food through a process called photosynthesis. In photosynthesis the plants use carbon dioxide and water to make sugar. This food is used by the plant for its own energy or eaten by consumers. Consumers or heterotrophs need to eat food that autotrophs have produced. There are different types of consumers.
Herbivores eat plants.
Carnivores eat animals. Omnivores eat both plants and animals. Decomposers are heterotrophs that break down dead tissue and waste products. They play a very important role in the ecosystem because they recycle nutrients. Bacteria and fungi act as decomposers.