The term for the food web's base level is producers or autotrophs. These organisms, primarily plants and some microorganisms, create energy through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, serving as the foundation of the food web. Producers convert sunlight or chemical energy into usable energy in the form of organic compounds, which then sustain consumers (herbivores, carnivores, etc.). Their role is critical for energy flow and nutrient cycling within ecosystems.