Zooplankton

Zooplankton are small aquatic organisms that drift in freshwater and marine environments. They play an important role in the aquatic food web, providing food sources for larger predators such as fish, and helping to remove excess nutrients from the water. Zooplankton are often used to monitor the health and abundance of aquatic environments, as they are highly sensitive to changes in their environment such as pollution and competition from invasive species. In addition, some species of zooplankton produce toxins that can harm aquatic species, providing an additional indicator of water quality. In short, zooplankton are a key component of aquatic ecosystems, both as a food source and as an indicator species, and should be closely monitored and protected.