1. Oceanic Plankton Lifestyles of the Microscopic & Overlooked

2. How can something at the top be at the bottom? Answer: When you’re a DIATOM! Phytoplankton (like diatoms) drift about near the surface of the sea, photosynthesizing as they go. Phytoplankton are the basis of the whole oceanic food chain – they are at the bottom of the energy pyramid!

3. Phytoplankton Blooms in the ocean Nutrients + Sunlight + Plankton = Bloom!

4. The Trials of being a Marine plant Salt balance Fluctuating water level A few Success stories… Mangroves Saltwort Seagrass

5. Kingdom Protista “Catch all” group In the Marine environment, includes –Seaweeds –Diatoms –Dinoflagellates Seaweeds are actually algae – NOT plants! –No roots –No vascular system –No seeds, flowers, or fruits

6. Types of Seaweeds Rhodophyta (Red Algae) Phaephyta (Brown Algae) Chlorophyta (Green Algae)

7. Rhodophytes Can grow at greater depth than other algaes – why?

8. Phaephytes Include the largest seaweed – the Giant Kelp… … and the Sargassumweed often washed up along the Texas coast.

9. Chlorophyta Include the familiar green algae.

10. Killer Plankton – The Red Tide Some species can reach enormous population levels, robbing the water of all D.O., and infesting filter- feeders with a toxic substance that can kill people.

11. What does this picture have to do with plankton?

12. This! Newly hatched crab larvae- ZOOPLANKTON

13. All marine invertebrates go through a Zooplankton stage Can you guess what animals these are? http://www.imagequest3d.com/ph otos/zooplankton/

14. In summary… Plankton are critical to an ocean’s ecosystem health. Being at the bottom of the food pyramid, they support everything else. If you eat seafood, or eat anything made with seafood products, you are indirectly consuming plankton! Soooooo…

15. …Have you hugged your plankton today?