"How much do we know about plankton?"

About a year ago, as part of the National Biodiversity Future Center - Spoke 7, Line 2 project, coordinated by Dr. Iole Di Capua, a survey titled "How much do you know about plankton?" was launched. The goal? To understand how well plankton is known.

Thanks to the QR code distributed during scientific outreach events and activities aimed at citizens, schools, and universities, numerous responses were collected, providing an interesting picture of the knowledge and perception of these organisms.

What did we discover?

The analysis of the results highlighted some key aspects:

• Most participants had already heard of plankton, associating it with small, transparent, floating marine organisms. 
• About 60% of respondents believe that plankton has a limited role as "food" for larger animals, such as krill for whales. 
• Some participants stated that plankton is "too small to be important."

This perception is perhaps influenced by media and documentaries, which tend to focus on larger creatures like whales and dolphins, overlooking the extraordinary biodiversity, complexity, and ecological importance of plankton.

Plankton: Much More Than Just "Food"

In reality, plankton is a key component of the ocean ecosystem. Not only does it form the base of the marine food web, but it is also responsible for producing about 50% of the oxygen we breathe and plays a crucial role in the marine ecosystem.

The project's outreach activities have helped spread this knowledge and raise public awareness about this extraordinary (in)visible universe. Sharing marine biodiversity with both children and adults has opened new perspectives, revealing a fascinating world full of shapes, colors, and vital functions.

To continue our work, a Plankton Atlas is currently being developed. This book will be a valuable resource for anyone wishing to deepen their understanding of these tiny yet fundamental marine organisms, making their incredible world accessible and comprehensible.

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