Kelp Forests being only an area of densely populated algae, do not have their own special set of plankton that are unique to this ecosystem. However, kelp forests reside in the Photic zone of shallow water (due to its depth needs), thus, the plankton of the kelp forest ecosystem are similar to those that would found normally in any part of the Photic zone.

Phytoplankton

The phytoplankton that reside in the photic zone include a wide variety of autotrophic organisms that float in the ocean at the mercy of currents. Diatoms, Dinoflagellates, and Flagellates make up the autotrophic portion of Plankton that are a necessary part of Carbon Cycle because they use photosynthesis to turn CO₂ into O₂. Phytoplankton being a floating organism, kelp forests may contain any variety of types of phytoplankton, but phytoplankton are necessary to the diverse ecosystem of kelp forests because they are primary producers (which is the first step in food chain). Kelp forests are biodiverse areas of the photic zone and the phytoplankton are one of the many microscopic resident of these areas (one of the others being Zooplankton).

Skeletonema costatum

Phylum: Bacillariophyta

Habitat: They are Neritic meaning they live in shallow, near-shore ranging from the low tide mark to the continental shelf.

Species role: They are diatoms so they are photosynthetic and are primary producers in the kelp forest. Diatoms are also responsible for producing a lot of the world’s oxygen.

Lifecycle (description/ diagram): Reproduces sexually and asexually. Auxospores are sometimes present. Resting stage can survive up to 6 years.

Survival adaptation: Since it is a diatom it has to be able to float so it has the ability. Diatoms have silia which are tentacle like legs that help them stay in the photic zone and not sink.

Noctiluca scintillans

Phylum: Dinoflagellata

Habitat: It lives in the photic zone as they need sunlight to survive and they are found in cosmopolitan, neritic, cold, and warm waters.

Species role: Primary producer and are photosynthetic.

Lifecycle (description/ diagram): Dinoflagellates are asexual

Survival adaptation: flagellum which is a tail like structure which helps them stay in the photic zone and keeps them from sinking

Zooplankton

The zooplankton of the kelp forests are in the same situation as the phytoplankton (because collectively they make up the category of plankton as a whole) because kelp forests do not have their own specific species of plankton (both phyto and zoo). There may be no specific types of zooplankton in kelp forests, but zooplankton are important members of the biodiverse ecosystem of kelp forests because zooplankton are primary consumers (one of the lower steps in the food chain). Zooplankton and phytoplankton reside in kelp forests when the currents of the ocean allow it, but there are not set types of plankton that stay in the kelp forests as permanent residents.

Mnemiopsis leidyi (sea walnut)

Phylum: Ctenophora

Habitat: Lives in the east coast of North and South America. It was found in the Black Sea, but transported due to ballast water

Species role: The sea walnuts contributed to the collapse of local fisheries because they feed on zooplankton that the commercial fish also consume.

Lifecycle (description/ diagram): Sea Walnuts are free-spawning, and simultaneous hermaphrodites capable of self-fertilization. They have gonads containing both the ovary and the spermatophore bunches in their gastrodermis. Total numbers of simultaneously forming eggs depends of food availability and on temperature. 2-3000 eggs are produced per day by adults at high food concentrations is common.

Survival adaptation: They are translucent and can even be bioluminescent. This helps them escape from predation

Pleurobrachia bachei (sea gooseberries)

Phylum: Ctenophora

Habitat: Found in the Northern Pacific Ocean. In the spring and summer they can be found from Washington to California. They have even been reported in places as far up as Alaska and as far south as Mexico. They have also been reported in off the coast of Chile. They are considered native to Ireland. Sea gooseberries live near coasts and are most commonly found in at depths of 15-30m of the surface.

Species role: Help to control the phytoplankton population by consuming the overpopulated plankton in the area they reside in. They may also be hosts to amphipods and have also been found with parasitic dinoflagellates.

Lifecycle (description/ diagram): Sea gooseberries are hermaphrodites and fertilization occurs externally. Gonadal tissues are found under the comb rows and eggs and sperm are released through the mouth.

Survival adaptation: Sea gooseberries are elliptical in shape and have two tentacles protruding from each side of their body. They also have eight combed rows of fused cilia. The combs are meant for propulsion

References

Center for Coastal Studies. “Phytoplankton.” http://coastalstudies.org/about/stellwagen-bank-

national-marine-sanctuary/phytoplankton/

Center for Coastal Studies. “Zooplankton.” http://coastalstudies.org/about/stellwagen-bank-

national-marine-sanctuary/zooplankton/

Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences. “Phyto'pedia - The Phytoplankton

Encyclopaedia Project.” UBC. https://www.eoas.ubc.ca/research/phytoplankton/diatoms/centric/skeletonema/s_costatum.html

Global Invasive Species Database (2017) Species profile: Mnemiopsis leidyi. Downloaded from

http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=95 on 03-03-2017.

UK Marine SACS Project. “UK Marine Special Areas of Conservstion.”

http://www.ukmarinesac.org.uk/communities/infralittoral/ik3_4.htm.

Willis, J. 2013. "" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed March 03, 2017 at

http://animaldiversity.org/accounts//