Phytoplankton
Phytoplankton ( ancient Greek φυτόν phytón "plant"; πλαγκτόν planktón ; literally: "plant plankton") denotes photoautotrophic plankton , primarily consisting of diatoms , green algae , golden algae and other algae as well as dinoflagellates and cyanobacteria (traditionally also called "blue algae").
As a primary producer, phytoplankton builds up its body substance ( biomass ) with the help of photosynthesis from carbon dioxide and nutrients ( primary production ). The phytoplankton is the basis of the autochthonous food pyramid in stagnant and slowly flowing waters.
Phytoplankton is eaten by zooplankton and many animals that live on the bottom of inland waters and seas. Plankton animals have developed amazing net-like structures to filter it out of the water. One of the most notable and direct food chains is: phytoplankton → krill → whale .
Phytoplankton is responsible for producing a large part of the oxygen in the atmosphere - according to various estimates, the proportion produced by phytoplankton is around half or even 70 to 80 percent. The amount of marine phytoplankton has decreased by 40% since 1950, mainly due to rising sea temperatures . See also hypoxia (ecology) .
See also
Web links
- Climate change changes phytoplankton in the North Sea scinexx.de, February 13, 2012
Individual evidence
- ↑ Antarctic krill ecoscope.com (English)
- ^ Russell Leonard Chapman (2013): Algae: the world's most important "plants" —an introduction. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change 18: 5–12. doi: 10.1007 / s11027-010-9255-9
- ↑ Jack Hall: The Most Important Organism? ecology.com, September 12, 2011.
- ^ David A. Siegel and Bryan A. Franz (2010): Century of phytoplankton change. Nature 466: 569-570. doi: 10.1038 / 466569a