Marine Plankton

Marine Plankton As plankton is influenced by sea temperature they are good indicators of biological responses to climate change. Date of Publication: 09/11/2007 • • • • • • • •

Introduction Evidence Assessment Commentary Source data and updates UK Indicators References Show All

Introduction

A copepod, family Eucalanidae [Scottish Association for Marine Science image] Plankton, both plant (phytoplankton) and animal (zooplankton) are at the lowest level of the food chain in marine ecosystems, and constitute a vital food-source for higher-level organisms. Phytoplankton Colour Index ( PCI) is an indicator of phytoplankton biomass. The relative abundance of the zoo-planktonic copepods or crustaceans Calanus finmarchicus (of cooler water) and Calanus helgolandicus (of warmer water) is influenced by sea temperature and provides evidence of biological response to climate

change. Decapoda (crabs and lobsters) larva represent planktonic organisms that eventually settle to the seabed and so their abundance reflects a direct link between water column and bottom-dwelling species.