Phytoplankton Food Chain In The Ocean

Phytoplankton are microscopic marine algae.

Phytoplankton food chain in the ocean. The more phytoplankton present in the ocean water the greater the concentration of plant pigments. On the oceans surface waters microscopic. Phytoplankton are on the bottom of the aquatic food chain so their nourishment and population growth are essential to other creatures from the small fish that eat them to larger fish and eventually humans.

The Word Phytoplankton is derived from the Greek words Phyto plant and plankton made to wander or drift. Phytoplankton is the primary producer at the base in all types of water bodies particularly in the oceans. A Three Step Food Chain.

Like land plants they take up carbon dioxide make carbohydrates using light energy and release oxygen. Microscopic marine algae which form the basis of the ocean food chain. The phytoplankton is the main producer of the ocean food chain.

Phytoplankton food chain in the ocean. Ocean food chain ocean depth gado gado preschool age ocean themes book characters food chains science fish food. Phytoplankton consist mostly of algae and bacteria and are the foundation of the marine food chain.

Similarly when there are not enough phytoplankton to make food or if the wrong types of phytoplankton grow the food chain of the sea can collapse turning the ocean into a watery desert wasteland. Food chainsor food websof lakes and other freshwaters also depend on phytoplankton for their food. Larger and larger zooplankton fish and mammals depend on these plankton.

The marine food chain for instance is essential for oceans - and depends on plankton. In a balanced ecosystem they provide food for a wide range of sea creatures. The next level of the marine food chain is made up of animals that feast on the seas abundant plant life.