Who eats who?

(Continuation of #6)

Pr. Sahoo: “Algae play another very important ecological role: they are at the basis of food chains. It’s more accurate to talk about trophic webs because it is not a linear chain of transmission but many interconnected elements. The organic matter produced by algae through photosynthesis provides food for animals.

Microalgae are eaten by microscopic animals. This microscopic world is part of the plankton1. The plankton refers to all the organisms that are in suspension in waters and are carried by the currents: the phytoplankton is the plant part and the zooplankton is the animal part. After eating phytoplankton, zooplankton then serve as food for animals bigger than they are, and so on.

Jacqueline : What about seaweeds?

Pr. Sahoo : Macroalgae are also a first link in the food chains: they will be “grazed” by animals such as sea urchins or abalones for example.

Jacqueline : So the big fish on my plate, it is because there were algae initially that it was there?

Pr. Sahoo : Yes! Life on Earth actually! You would not be here asking me questions if there were no algae. So you can imagine what happens when pollutants destroy this first link? Despite their ecological, economical and societal roles, there are often misconceptions and negative connotations associated with algae. Or sometimes there is no idea at all… Yet they are essential for the functioning of ecosystems and they could make important contributions to the pillars of sustainable development with applications in the field of food, energy, environment, industry or health. Welcome to the wonderful world of algae Jacqueline!”

When I was back, I realized that I had even more questions. For example, if we need algae to fish, how is it that there are less and less fishes, while it seems there are more and more green tides? Is it the functioning of research to answer a question with many more interrogations?

Here it is! My immersion journey has started. For the follow up of my notebook, let’s meet around themes!

Adapted from the interview of Dr. Sahoo, click here !

  1. Dive into the fascinating world of plankton: discover the Plankton Chronicles