Plankton are small organisms that float or drift in water. They are divided into phytoplankton, which are plant-like organisms capable of photosynthesis, and zooplankton, which are animal-like organisms. Plankton are extremely important as they form the base of the marine food web, with phytoplankton providing an energy source and zooplankton consuming phytoplankton and other zooplankton. Areas with high levels of nutrients in the water typically contain more plankton.

1. Plankton Why are they so important?

2. PLANKTON Plants - Phyto plankton Animals – Zoo plankton Comes from the Greek word “ planktos ” which means drifting

3. PHYTOPLANKTON Float near the surface Most can’t swim Make their own energy through photosynthesis Food for zooplankton Beginning of the food chain

4. PHytoplankton Can change the color of the water Large number of Plankton in one area. Called a BLOOM

5. PHytoplankton Where you find lots of plankton: Ocean provides large amounts of nutrients Where you find little plankton: Poisons in the water, prevents growth Changes in water temperature, colder water has more nutrients

6. Fishermen Look at ocean color images to find areas rich with phytoplankton

7. Zooplankton Animals that either don’t swim or are very weak swimmers Some are eggs or larva of animals that will one day become nekton (animals that swim freely)

8. Zooplankton Varying sizes, but some are quite large! Zooplankton feast on the phytoplankton… and sometimes other zooplankton ! Let’s Create a Plankton

9. Food chain PRODUCERS: Phytoplankton CONSUMERS: 1 st - Zooplankton 2 nd - Nekton 3 rd - more Nekton DECOMPOSERS: Primarily bacteria

10. Food WEBS Have many Food Chains in them…