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Primary Production

Primary Production

The total amount of energy acquired by primary producers in an ecosystem is called gross primary production (GPP). However, of this energy, producers use some for metabolic processes, and some is lost as heat, decreasing the amount of energy available to the next trophic level. The remaining usable amount of energy is called the net primary productivity (NPP). In terrestrial ecosystems, NPP is driven by climate, while light penetration and nutrient availability drive NPP in aquatic ecosystems.

Green Algae

Green Algae

Green algae, also referred to as chlorophytes, are different from red algae in having the chloroplasts containing chlorophylls a and b, which give them their distinct green hue. However, they lack phycobiliproteins, preventing them from developing the red or blue-green pigmentation seen in red algae. In terms of photosynthetic pigment composition, green algae closely resemble plants and share a close evolutionary relationship with them. Taxonomically Green algae belong to Phylum Chlorophyta in...

Other Algae

Other Algae

The group Stramenopiles include some phototrophic microorganisms. Members of this group possess flagella covered in numerous short, hairlike extensions, a feature that inspired the group's name, derived from the Latin words for "straw" and "hair." Some of the main categories of Stramenopiles include diatoms, golden algae, and brown algae.Diatoms are unicellular, photosynthetic eukaryotes, with over 200 known genera. They play a key role in the planktonic communities of both marine and...

Red Algae

Red Algae

Red algae, also known as rhodophytes, are primarily found in marine environments, though some species inhabit freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. These organisms exist in both unicellular and multicellular forms, with some multicellular varieties reaching macroscopic sizes.As phototrophic organisms, red algae contain chlorophyll a; however, their chloroplasts lack chlorophyll b. Instead, they possess phycobiliproteins, which serve as major light-harvesting pigments, similar to those found in...

Overview of Algae

Overview of Algae

The kingdom Archaeplastida encompasses red and green algae, along with land plants. Unlike other protists with chloroplasts that arose through secondary endosymbiosis, only red and green algae originated from primary endosymbiotic events. This diverse group of eukaryotic organisms contains chlorophyll and performs oxygenic photosynthesis.Algae exist in various forms, from large brown kelp in coastal waters to green scum in puddles and stains on rocks or soil. Some species are responsible for...

Diversity of Protists III

Diversity of Protists III

Rhizaria are a diverse group of unicellular protists characterized by their threadlike cytoplasmic extensions known as pseudopodia. These structures aid in both locomotion and feeding, giving Rhizaria an amoeboid appearance. Their amoeboid morphology once led to taxonomic confusion, but molecular phylogenetics has clarified their evolutionary placement and emphasized their shared use of pseudopodia despite divergent lineages.This clade comprises diverse lineages such as Chlorarachniophyta,...

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Related Experiment Video

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Author Spotlight: Unveiling Plankton Response to Climate Change Through Time-Series Data and Artistic Expression

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Phytoplankton in the Tara Ocean.

Juan José Pierella Karlusich¹, Federico M Ibarbalz¹, Chris Bowler¹

¹Institut de Biologie de l'École Normale Supérieure (IBENS), Département de Biologie, École Normale Supérieure, CNRS, INSERM, Université de Recherche Paris Sciences et Lettres (Université PSL), 75005 Paris, France;

Annual Review of Marine Science

|January 4, 2020

Summary

Ocean photosynthesis, performed by diverse organisms, is crucial for primary production. Recent data reveals global phytoplankton distribution, diversity, and abundance, highlighting the importance of mixotrophs and photosymbionts.

Keywords:

Prochlorococcus Synechococcus Tara Oceans diatoms dinoflagellates photosynthesis primary production

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Area of Science:

Marine biology
Oceanography
Microbial ecology

Background:

Photosynthesis originated in the ocean over 2 billion years ago.
Phytoplankton are key primary producers in marine ecosystems.
Understanding phytoplankton is essential for marine food webs and biogeochemical cycles.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the geographic distributions of phytoplankton in the global ocean.
To analyze phytoplankton diversity, abundance, and standing stock biomass.
To discuss the integration of omics data and the role of mixotrophs and photosymbionts in ocean photosynthesis.

Main Methods:

Utilized data from the Tara Oceans project (2009-2013).
Performed comprehensive worldwide sampling of plankton in the upper ocean layers.
Incorporated omics-based information for studying marine photosynthesis.

Main Results:

Detailed review of global phytoplankton geographic distributions.
Assessment of phytoplankton diversity, abundance, and biomass.
Identification of the likely importance of mixotrophs and photosymbionts.

Conclusions:

Phytoplankton exhibit diverse distributions and contributions to ocean primary production.
Omics data enhance our understanding of marine photosynthesis.
Mixotrophs and photosymbionts play a significant role in oceanic photosynthetic processes.