which population of organisms would begin the flow of energy through a desert food web?
a. coyotes
b. cactus finch
c. beaded lizards
d. mesquite shrubs

The Answer would be D: Mesquite Shrubs as these are plants that produce their own food (called autotrophs) Plants use solar energy, convert it to chemical energy and these can be taken up by other consumers like the Coyotes, Cactus finch and Beaded lizards. These plants are eaten by primary consumers that are in turn eaten by secondary and tertiary consumers. So from the given list, the Mesquite Shrubs would begin the flow of energy through a desert food web