An Introduction Phytoplankton Refers to the plant community that is found in water habitats, composed mainly of microscopic species of algae, with limited, or no locomotion and are transported passively by water currents Importance 1. Represent the initial food producers for most food webs in oceans, estuaries, lakes and other aquatic habitats.
Phytoplankton are the major producers in both microbial and metazoan food webs.
Represent excellent index species to water quality and habitat conditions due to their rapid response to changing environmental conditions. Fish kills due to reduced oxygen levels,or toxins. Hypoxic or anoxic conditions. Low abundance in lower depths, central regions of oceans. Seasonal succession of species characteristic of water habitats.