The role of planktons in sustaining the function and diversity of marine ecosystems: a systematic review
Journal: Discover Animals
Year: 2026

Plankton, comprising phytoplankton and zooplankton, are foundational to marine food webs and biogeochemical cycles, serving as key indicators of ocean health. They drive primary productivity, sustain marine life, and shape distinct ocean regimes. This systematic review, based on literature from 2014 to 2024, applied narrative synthesis to qualitatively examine patterns and themes across studies, aiming to consolidate current understanding of plankton’s role in supporting marine ecosystem functio