Which definition best describes a 'trophic level'?

A 'trophic level' refers to the position an organism occupies in a food chain, which illustrates its role in the transfer of energy and nutrients within an ecosystem. This concept helps in understanding how energy flows from one level to another, starting with primary producers, such as plants, which capture energy from the sun and convert it into biomass. From there, herbivores (primary consumers), and then carnivores (secondary and tertiary consumers) occupy higher trophic levels as they eat lower-level organisms. By identifying trophic levels, ecologists can analyze how energy diminishes at each level due to metabolic processes and why there are typically fewer organisms at higher trophic levels. This concept underpins ecological studies and conservation efforts by illustrating the interdependence of species within a community.