The "animals." This group includes everything from tiny crustaceans like krill to the larval stages of fish and crabs. Breath of the Ocean
The "plants" of the ocean. These tiny organisms use photosynthesis to turn sunlight into energy. Marine Plankton: A practical guide to ecology, ...
Despite their importance, plankton are facing unprecedented challenges. As ocean temperatures rise and waters become more acidic due to CO2 absorption, the delicate balance of plankton ecology is shifting. Changes in bloom timing can disrupt the entire food chain, leading to "mismatches" where larval fish hatch before their food source arrives. The Microscopic Frontier The "animals
Plankton are the ultimate "base layer." Without them, the ocean would be a desert. Phytoplankton feed the zooplankton, which in turn feed the fish, whales, and seabirds. In a very real sense, every bite of seafood you eat was once powered by the energy of a planktonic bloom. A World Under Pressure The Microscopic Frontier Plankton are the ultimate "base
If you enjoy breathing, you should thank phytoplankton. These microscopic powerhouses produce roughly in our atmosphere. By absorbing carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, they also act as a massive "carbon sink," helping to buffer the effects of climate change. When they die, they sink to the ocean floor, locking away carbon for centuries in a process known as the biological pump. The Foundation of Everything
