Southern Ocean Plants
By Dawn Kiser
Phytoplankton |
| Some of the most amazing plants that live in the Southern Ocean are called Phytoplankton. These plants are single celled organisms that, unlike most plants, do not attach themselves to bedrock. Instead they float in the oceans towards the top to stay closest to the sunlight. These microscopic plants can be as small as a thousandth of a millimeter. |
Why are these tiny plants so important? |
| Phytoplankton are at the bottom of the oceanic food chain. These tiny organisms are food for krill and other animals. In turn, krill are food for whales. Without these crucial plants, there would be a breakdown of the food chain. Another reason these plants are important, is the production of oxygen through photosynthesis. Essentially, humanity depends on these odd, single celled plants. |
Click on the links below to visit some great sites.
Find out what plant does all the work in the Southern Ocean. |
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| Find out how phytoplankton influence the Earth's climate. |
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Last Updated on August 5, 2007