Largely overlooked, it can be animal or plant-based, take on an infinite variety of forms, and live for a few hours or several years. It can be microscopic or measure more than 30 meters in length. Plankton is an invaluable resource: it purifies the water in oceans and rivers alike and plays a major role in regulating the climate. It supports the economies of many communities and serves as a source of technological inspiration. Affected by climate change and the biodiversity crisis, plankton is of great interest to scientists. Given that it accounts for more than 98% of aquatic biomass, what would be the consequences of its decline?

A lecture by Sakina-Dorothée Ayata

Sakina-Dorothée Ayata is a professor in marine ecology at Sorbonne University in Paris. She also holds the Chair of Science Communication at the Institut Universitaire de France. She co-authored the article The Immeasurable Value of Plankton to Humanity, BioScience, 2025.

This lecture is organized with the support of the Quebec Ministry of Economy, Innovation, and Energy as part of Ocean Week Canada.