Plankton is the productive base of both marine and freshwater ecosystems. The plankton community structure influences the fish's food and feeding habits. In diverse industry areas, microalgae have been widely used as a source for various practices and potential metabolic products, such as food supplements, pharmacological substances, lipids, enzymes, biomass, polymers, toxins, pigments, or tertiary sewage treatment. They are also crucial in aquaculture as a source of nutrients. They are of great importance in producing oxygen, carbon dioxide sequestration, and removing nitrogenous compounds, such as ammonia. They are also used as bioindicators, reporting water bodies' ecological quality status. However, it is considered that plankton biotechnology is still young compared to macroalgal and terrestrial plant biotechnological exploitation and knowledge.
Nevertheless, compared with these two biotechnology branches, it is estimated that plankton have specimens and are more suitable due to their reduced form, being mainly aquatic, a life cycle, and rapid adaptation of the metabolism, capable of producing various exciting compounds. The production of microalgae in different sectors generates social, environmental, and economic benefits. For example, in the USA and India, Haematococcus lacustris (formerly Haematococcus pluvialis) (Chlorophyta) production aims the extraction of astaxanthin, used as a food coloring and also as a powerful antioxidant in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry.
The plankton community is often shaped by physico-chemical gradients, namely fronts and clines. These structures impact elaborated interactions among specimens and species.
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Plankton are crucial components of food webs, executing various ecological roles ranging from primary producers to bacterivores, planktivores, parasites, and saprotrophs. The structure of the plankton community deeply influences the overall functioning and stability of aquatic ecosystems.
A pivotal aspect of the plankton community structure is its diversity. This refers to the myriad of species present in the community. An increase in plankton species diversity tends to result in more stable communities because diverse communities have a better ability to withstand disturbances and preserve ecosystem functioning. Furthermore, the stability of the community is intertwined with plankton diversity, as it dictates the interactions and dynamics within the community.
Composition of the plankton community also plays a significant role in its structure. It denotes the relative abundance and spread of species within the community. Each plankton species carries its own ecological function and role, and their interactions can resonate throughout the food web. The existence of specific keystone species can notably influence the community structure and dynamics. Network analysis has unveiled that these keystone taxa are primarily rare species, emphasizing the significance of such species in upholding network persistence and community stability.
Numerous factors can sway the structure of the plankton community. Environmental variables, including water temperature, pH, nutrient concentrations, and pollution, significantly affect the composition and prevalence of plankton species. Instances like cyanobacterial blooms, frequent disturbances in aquatic systems, can disrupt plankton community structure by suppressing the growth of other phytoplankton species. Human activities, such as urbanization and water management, can similarly have a profound impact on plankton community structure and diversity.
Studying the structure and dynamics of plankton communities allows researchers to understand better the overall well-being and resilience of aquatic ecosystems. It also aids in formulating strategies for their conservation and management.