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Vocabulary Term Details

Plankton

Definition (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plankton)

Plankton (singular plankter) are any organisms that live in the water column and are incapable of swimming against a current. They provide a crucial source of food to many large aquatic organisms, such as fish and whales. These organisms include drifting animals, protists, archaea, algae, or bacteria that inhabit the pelagic zone of oceans, seas, or bodies of fresh water. That is, plankton are defined by their ecological niche rather than phylogenetic or taxonomic classification. (Wikipedia)

Preferred Units: N/A

Scope Note:
N/A

Broader TermsNarrower TermsRelated Terms
Aquatic communities
Phytoplankton
Zooplankton
Crustacea
Microorganisms
Pelagic environment

This term is used for the following terms: 
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Approved Date
05-Aug-2013

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