Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton are the plank-like organisms that make up pretty much all of the bottom of the food chain. A majority of the nannoplankton is phytoplankton. They are the primary producers of the ocean as they use photosynthesis to get food and energy. A byproduct of photosynthesis is oxygen, and this is very important as they make about 80% of the earth's oxygen supply. The two main types of phytoplankton are Diatoms and Dinoflagellates. Dinoflagellates have flagellum that help them move and float where as diatoms have very symmetrical structures and no flagellum. Phytoplankton are a major food source for all animals in the ocean and are needed to keep the ecosystems in balance. (4,5,6)

Species 1: Laminaria hyperborea or deep sea tangle.

Habitat: It is found in the sublittoral zone of the northern Atlantic ocean. (3)

Niche: It provides a habitat for certain species of amphipods, isopods, gastropods and small fish. (3)

Adaptation: Able to adapt shape of thallus as well as develop a large and thin blade per the environment it is in. (5)

Species 2:

Emiliania huxleyi (2)

Habitat (not specific to Kelp forest): All over the ocean in giant blooms, but near the surface because it uses photosynthesis. (1)

Niche: It is a big part of biogeochemical cycle. It takes inorganic carbon and to use it in photosynthetic and biomineralized products. All this add to the amount of carbon in the deep sea sediment. (2)

Adaptation: This phytoplankton has the ability to adapt to rapidly changing ocean temperatures and ocean acidification. They do this by having a higher level of CO2 in their coccoliths. (4)