autotroph are producers. they produce their own light, water, and carbon dioxide. in the trophic levels, autotroph is considered the first level of the trophic levels otherwise known as producers. all food chains start with an autotroph. if there was an increase in autotroph, then there will be an increase in the animals that eat them. if there was a decrease in autotrophs, then the entire food chain will be affected. the animals depending on that certain type of autotroph will then have to find another food source, or they will eventually die of starvation