Browsing: Zooplankton

Zooplankton are a diverse group of small, floating organisms that are a critical component of aquatic ecosystems, serving as a pivotal element in the food web. Predominantly small-scale animals or the larval stages of larger animals, zooplankton includes species such as krill, small fish larvae, jellyfish, and protozoans. These organisms drift in water bodies from oceans to freshwater systems, and their populations can vary significantly with location, season, and water conditions. Zooplankton play a key role in aquatic environments by transferring primary production from phytoplankton, which they consume, up through the food chain to larger marine and freshwater animals. They are also crucial in the biogeochemical cycles of water bodies, influencing the cycling of carbon and other nutrients. Research on zooplankton helps scientists understand the health of aquatic ecosystems and the impacts of environmental changes such as climate change, ocean acidification, and pollution.