phytoplankton diversity

Phytoplankton are microscopic plants that float on the surface of oceans and lakes. They are incredibly diverse, consisting of various species like diatoms, dinoflagellates, and cyanobacteria. This diversity is crucial because different species have unique roles in the ecosystem, such as producing oxygen through photosynthesis and forming the base of the food web for aquatic life. Environmental factors like light, nutrient availability, and temperature influence which species thrive in a given area, leading to a dynamic and ever-changing community of phytoplankton that supports marine and freshwater ecosystems worldwide.