HOW CAN WE PREDICT CHANGE IN ECOSYSTEMS?PlanktonSmithsonian Science for the Classroom™© Smithsonian InstitutionCREDIT: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

SmithsonianScience Education Center

Plankton

n Mix of small organismsn Live in watern Cannot swim against current

HOW CAN WE PREDICT CHANGE IN ECOSYSTEMS?PlanktonSmithsonian Science for the Classroom™© Smithsonian InstitutionCREDIT: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

SmithsonianScience Education Center

Phytoplankton

n Plant-like organisms n Get energy from the Sunn Get matter from water and carbon dioxide

HOW CAN WE PREDICT CHANGE IN ECOSYSTEMS?PlanktonSmithsonian Science for the Classroom™© Smithsonian InstitutionCREDIT: Tim Mullady/Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

SmithsonianScience Education Center

Zooplankton

n Animal-like organismsn Young/larval stages of larger animalsn Get matter and energy from consuming phytoplankton