The Nocturnal Migration of Plankton
In The Nocturnal Migration of Plankton, narrator David Attenborough explains how plankton retreats into the ocean depths as the Sun rises. To follow them, we descend in a submarine where pressure increases, and temperatures drop. At 500 meters (1,640 feet) below, strange creatures emerge. Organic particles, known as marine snow, drift down, serving as food for many animals like the sea spider, which uses feathered leg-like appendages to capture it. Meanwhile, the sawtooth eel waits motionless, ready to strike at silhouetted prey swimming near the faint glow from the surface. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
Lesson Express
Q: How do baby sailfish interact with the plankton?
A: Baby sailfish take advantage of the abundance of plankton at the surface, feeding on them during their nightly migration.
Q: What adaptations help manta rays feed on plankton efficiently?
A: Manta rays use bladelike projections on either side of their heads to steer plankton into their mouths while filter-feeding.
Q: Why is the nightly migration of plankton important for ocean ecosystems?
A: It provides a critical food source for a variety of marine animals, supporting complex food chains.
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