虽然浮游植物比针尖还小
they're one of the most important forms of life onEarth.
它们是地球上最重要的一种生命形式
To understand just how important they are,
为了更清楚地了解它们究竟多重要
take a look at them fromspace.
让我们从太空中看看它们
Just off the British Isles, large patches of the sea
不列颠诸岛上一大片的海域
are stained light green by millions upon millions
都被无数的单个浮游植物染成了绿色
of individual phytoplankton, known as blooms.
这种现象被称作水花区
These blooms appear around the world's oceans.
这些水花区出现在世界海洋里
And it's because phytoplankton are so abundant that they can affect the whole planet.
因为浮游植物数量巨大 它们可以影响到整个星球
Without phytoplankton in the oceans,
海洋里如果没有浮游植物
there wouldn't be any fish or turtles swimming around.
就不会有任何鱼和海龟游来游去
Phytoplankton is the first meal in the ocean food chain.
浮游植物是海洋生物链的第一个环节
But surprisingly,as well as being a primary source of nourishment for creatures in the sea,
但是令人惊奇的是 这些小有机体不但是海洋生物营养的主要来源
these tiny organisms help all animals on Earth to breathe.
它们还帮助地球上的动物呼吸
