Introduction

Question 1

Primary Production

Answer 1

Formation of chemical energy (in the form of organic compounds) by living organisms (autotrophy)
Sustains biosphere

Question 2

Marine Primary Producers

Answer 2

Bacteria/archaea
Algae (micro and macro)
Higher plants (seagrass)

Question 3

Importance of Primary Producers

Answer 3

All major metabolic processes evolved in and are still largely dominated by microbes.
Microbial dominance of biogeochemical cycles such as N P Fe C
Base of all food chains.
Responsible for ~50% global net PP
Without sequestation CO2 levels would be 200 microatm higher.

Question 4

Diversity of marine PPs

Answer 4

Single celled or groups/chains of cells
Large size range (<1um ->200 um
Euks and prokaryotes
Picophytoplankton <2um

Question 5

Diversity of diet

Answer 5

Microzooplankton (Tintinnid)
Mesozooplankton (Copepods)
Gelatinous zooplankton (Salp)
Planktivorous fish (Anchovy)

Question 6

Importance of PPs

Answer 6

Drive biogeochemical cycles, controlling the cycle of C, nutrients and O
Strong influence on atmospheric CO2
Also other climate reactive gases, DMS, methane
Key biomineralisers
Producers of useful organic deposits
Potential to use PP for sustainable energy
Phyto can be indicators of global change