Jump to content

Phytoplankton: Difference between revisions

From OceanWiki
Created page with "Important things to know Lexicon"
 
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
Important things to know
Phytoplankton are microscopic plant-like organisms that dominate photosynthetic primary production in the ocean. Phylogenetically, phytoplankton comprises both bacterial groups such as the cyanobacteria [[Synechococcus]] and [[Prochlorococcus]], and unicellular eukaryotic groups. Operationally, modelers differentiate between [[picophytoplankton]], which dominates [[oligotrophic]] regions, and [[microphytoplankton]], which is more abundant in nutrient-rich areas like [[upwelling]] regions and the [[polar oceans]].




[[Category:Lexicon]]
[[Category:Lexicon]]

Revision as of 16:40, 17 November 2025

Phytoplankton are microscopic plant-like organisms that dominate photosynthetic primary production in the ocean. Phylogenetically, phytoplankton comprises both bacterial groups such as the cyanobacteria Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus, and unicellular eukaryotic groups. Operationally, modelers differentiate between picophytoplankton, which dominates oligotrophic regions, and microphytoplankton, which is more abundant in nutrient-rich areas like upwelling regions and the polar oceans.