Phytoplankton

The term phytoplankton ( ancient Greek φυτόν phyton "plant"; ancient Greek πλαγκτόν plankton, literally, " plant plankton " ) called photoautotrophic plankton, mainly consisting of diatoms ( Bacillariophyta ), green algae, golden algae, dinoflagellates and cyanobacteria ( blue-green algae ).

Biologically, these species are only part of the realm of plants (for example, green algae ), part of the protists ( diatoms, golden algae ), which the Stramenopilen ( dinoflagellates ) and in part to the realm of bacteria ( cyanobacteria ).

Phytoplankton builds the primary producers through photosynthesis from carbon dioxide and nutrients his body substance (biomass) to ( primary production ). The phytoplankton is thus the basis of indigenous food pyramid in standing and slowly flowing waters.

Phytoplankton is eaten by zooplankton and many animals that live at the bottom of inland waters and seas. Plankton animals have developed amazing net-like structures to make it to filter out of the water. One of the most remarkable and most direct food chain is phytoplankton → krill → whale.

It is estimated that the production of phytoplankton for 50 - is responsible for 80% of the oxygen in the atmosphere. Especially by rising sea temperatures, the amount of marine phytoplankton has declined by 40% since 1950. See also: hypoxia ( ecology).