Plankton (General)
They are microscopic plants or animals that float near the surface of the water. Phytoplankton are autotrophic, often called primary producers, as they produce their own food using light, carbon dioxide, and water and are therefore the foundation of both fresh and saltwater food chains; they feed the smallest creatures through to the largest, including whales. Zooplankton are heterotrophic and are therefore primary, secondary, or tertiary consumers as they can not produce their own food. They rely on other sources of organic carbon (for example, plant or animal matter). All plankton rarely live beyond a few days.
SPECIES IN DETAIL
Plankton (General)
CONSERVATION STATUS: Not evaluated
CLIMATE CHANGE: Laboratory Evidence
Geographic Distribution
Plankton live along coastlines and in relatively shallow water, usually in sea beds near a large landmass, called a continental shelf. They are found at the Equator in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans and in high latitude areas.
Habitat
Plankton can be found along coastlines and in relatively shallow water, usually sea beds near a large landmass called a continental shelf. Plankton are ‘drifters’ so the wind can be a determining factor of where they may be found. Wind causes an upwelling of nutrients to be brought further towards the surface of the water. Where nutrients are more limited (for example, ocean gyres, plankton is rare. Where the water is less clear and looking darker and cloudy, this signifies that large numbers of plankton may exist.
Physical Characteristics
Plankton are extremely diverse.
Size
They are microscopic!
Diet
Phytoplankton consume carbon dioxide and release oxygen and combined with sunlight, this process is called photosynthesis. They are the foundation of the food pyramid, providing food for a vast range of sea creatures from animal-like zooplankton to large creatures such as whales. Zooplankton are heterotrophic so find their nutrition from other sources of organic carbon. Zooplankton fill a vital role between phytoplankton and larger ocean-living creatures.
Reproduction
Mainly asexually and in the right conditions, can do this with ease and abundance (called a bloom) Some species of zooplankton and phytoplankton can reproduce sexually or asexually. Their growth rate is predominantly determined by the availability of carbon dioxide, sunlight, and nutrients. Water temperature, depth, and concentration of salt, wind, and predators also play a role. In high latitude areas large numbers (blooms) are more common in spring and summer. In subtropical oceans, peaks can be seen in winter.
Behavior
While they are the essential foundation of the food pyramid by feeding a vast array of sea creatures, if phytoplankton grow out of control, they produce harmful algal blooms. These blooms can create extremely toxic compounds that are dangerous to sea creatures and even humans.
Adaptation
Phytoplankton consume carbon dioxide and release oxygen and are able to reproduce asexually.
Longevity
They rarely live more than a few days.
Conservation
Because they are so important to the ocean in terms of biology and climate, any changes in phytoplankton productivity can affect many aspects of biodiversity, including human food supply and global warming. As the water warms, globally a slight decrease in plankton is noted. If phytoplankton decreases, there will be less carbon dioxide (co2) to oxygen (o2) conversion.
Researchers found evidence of long term declines in the ocean’s population of microscopic algae. Phytoplankton concentrations have declined in eight of the world’s ten ocean regions and have been dropping 1% of the global average each year.
Special Notes
They are the foundation of the fresh and saltwater food pyramid. They primarily reproduce asexually and often so numerously, the reproduction is called a bloom. Like plants on land, phytoplankton capture sunlight and use photosynthesis to turn it into chemical energy—they are a producer of food (autotrophic).
Zooplankton fill a crucial role between phytoplankton and large ocean-living creatures and are fundamental to ocean biodiversity. The name plankton is from the Greek word that means “drifting”.
SPECIES IN DETAIL | Print full entry
Plankton (General)
CONSERVATION STATUS: Not evaluated
CLIMATE CHANGE: Laboratory Evidence
Plankton live along coastlines and in relatively shallow water, usually in sea beds near a large landmass, called a continental shelf. They are found at the Equator in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans and in high latitude areas.
Plankton can be found along coastlines and in relatively shallow water, usually sea beds near a large landmass called a continental shelf. Plankton are ‘drifters’ so the wind can be a determining factor of where they may be found. Wind causes an upwelling of nutrients to be brought further towards the surface of the water. Where nutrients are more limited (for example, ocean gyres, plankton is rare. Where the water is less clear and looking darker and cloudy, this signifies that large numbers of plankton may exist.
Plankton are extremely diverse.
They are microscopic!
Phytoplankton consume carbon dioxide and release oxygen and combined with sunlight, this process is called photosynthesis. They are the foundation of the food pyramid, providing food for a vast range of sea creatures from animal-like zooplankton to large creatures such as whales. Zooplankton are heterotrophic so find their nutrition from other sources of organic carbon. Zooplankton fill a vital role between phytoplankton and larger ocean-living creatures.
Mainly asexually and in the right conditions, can do this with ease and abundance (called a bloom) Some species of zooplankton and phytoplankton can reproduce sexually or asexually. Their growth rate is predominantly determined by the availability of carbon dioxide, sunlight, and nutrients. Water temperature, depth, and concentration of salt, wind, and predators also play a role. In high latitude areas large numbers (blooms) are more common in spring and summer. In subtropical oceans, peaks can be seen in winter.
While they are the essential foundation of the food pyramid by feeding a vast array of sea creatures, if phytoplankton grow out of control, they produce harmful algal blooms. These blooms can create extremely toxic compounds that are dangerous to sea creatures and even humans.
Phytoplankton consume carbon dioxide and release oxygen and are able to reproduce asexually.
They rarely live more than a few days.
Because they are so important to the ocean in terms of biology and climate, any changes in phytoplankton productivity can affect many aspects of biodiversity, including human food supply and global warming. As the water warms, globally a slight decrease in plankton is noted. If phytoplankton decreases, there will be less carbon dioxide (co2) to oxygen (o2) conversion.
Researchers found evidence of long term declines in the ocean’s population of microscopic algae. Phytoplankton concentrations have declined in eight of the world’s ten ocean regions and have been dropping 1% of the global average each year.
They are the foundation of the fresh and saltwater food pyramid. They primarily reproduce asexually and often so numerously, the reproduction is called a bloom. Like plants on land, phytoplankton capture sunlight and use photosynthesis to turn it into chemical energy—they are a producer of food (autotrophic).
Zooplankton fill a crucial role between phytoplankton and large ocean-living creatures and are fundamental to ocean biodiversity. The name plankton is from the Greek word that means “drifting”.