Plankton (source code)

= Plankton
{wiki}

<Plankton> are aquatic <organisms> whose large-scale movement is strongly influenced by <water> currents. The group is defined by ecological mode rather than a single evolutionary origin: <phytoplankton> include photosynthetic forms, whereas <zooplankton> include drifting <consumers>.

Many <plankton> can swim locally or change depth, so drifting does not mean complete immobility. Vertical movement can change access to <light>, <nutrients> and <predators>, linking behaviour to transport by currents and to an aquatic <food web>.