Focus: Pressures on phytoplankton

The ocean is absorbing large amounts of anthropogenic heat and carbon. This is altering many ocean properties, which will influence the viability and health of marine biota. At the base of the foodchain are phytoplankton, the primary producers, which not only support the marine ecosystem but sequester carbon to the deep ocean. In this web focus we present a variety of original research and opinion pieces that highlight the pressures on marine phytoplankton under climate change and suggest directions for future research.

Scenics & Science / Alamy