Concept:In a food chain, each organism occupies a trophic level based on its food source. Herbivores eat plants directly, so they are the first level of consumers.Explanation:Step 1: Producers (plants) make their own food. Step 2: Herbivores feed only on plants. Step 3: Because they eat producers, herbivores are called primary consumers. Secondary consumers eat herbivores, decomposers break down dead matter, and producers make food. Therefore, herbivores cannot be producers, secondary consumers, or decomposers.
