What is the primary role of carnivores in an ecosystem?

The primary role of carnivores in an ecosystem is to act as organisms that rely on consuming other living organisms. Carnivores are typically at higher trophic levels within food chains and food webs, playing a crucial role in controlling the populations of prey species and maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. By preying on herbivores or other animals, carnivores help regulate the distribution and abundance of those species, which in turn can impact plant communities and overall biodiversity. This predatory behavior is essential for energy transfer within ecosystems, as it allows for the flow of energy from lower trophic levels to higher ones, ensuring ecosystem stability and health.

In contrast, the other options describe different roles in the ecosystem: producers manufacture their own food, decomposers recycle nutrients, and micro-organisms specifically break down dead material, none of which accurately characterizes the function of carnivores.