Final Answer:
Ecosystems require producers, such as plants or photosynthetic organisms, to convert energy into organic compounds. Producers form the base of the food chain, supporting other trophic levels in ecosystems. The answer is b. False.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ecosystems, by definition, consist of living organisms interacting with each other and their environment. Producers, typically plants or other photosynthetic organisms, are vital components of ecosystems as they convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis. This energy then forms the basis of the food chain, sustaining other organisms.
While it's theoretically possible to imagine a simplified artificial ecosystem without traditional photosynthetic producers, there must be an alternative energy source. For example, in deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems, bacteria can serve as primary producers using chemosynthesis, obtaining energy from inorganic compounds. However, in most ecosystems, producers play a fundamental role in capturing and converting energy, forming the foundation for the trophic pyramid.