Journal
HYDROBIOLOGIA
Volume 850, Issue 12-13, Pages 2691-2706Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s10750-022-04795-y
Keywords
Biosphere's engineers; Climate regulation; Primary production; Nutrient cycling; Cultural services
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Phytoplankton, as a group of microalgae in water, play a crucial role as ecosystem engineers and provide various services such as oxygen production and biogeochemical cycling, which are essential for regulating and sustaining life on Earth.
Phytoplankton, the ecological group of microalgae adapted to live in apparent suspension in water masses, is much more than an ecosystem's engineer. In this opinion paper, we use our experience as phytoplankton ecologists to list and highlight the services provided by phytoplankton, trying to demonstrate how their activity is fundamental to regulate and sustain Life on our Planet. Although the number of services produced by phytoplankton can be considered less numerous than that produced by other photosynthetic organisms, the ubiquity of this group of organisms, and their thriving across oceanic ecosystems make it one of the biological engines moving our biosphere. Supporting services provided by phytoplankton include almost half of the global primary and oxygen production. In addition, phytoplankton greatly pushes biogeochemical cycles and nutrient (re)cycling, not only in aquatic ecosystems but also in terrestrial ones. In addition, it significantly contributes to climate regulation (regulating services), supplies food, fuels, active ingredients and drugs, and genetic resources (provisioning services), has inspired artistic and craft works, mythology, and, of course, science (cultural services), and much more. Therefore, phytoplankton should be considered in all respects a true biosphere's engineer.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available