^[1]

Phytoplankton refers to unicellular algae and cyanobacteria, both solitary and colonial, that live, at least for part of their lifecycle, in the water column of surface water bodies ^[2]. Common parameters used for characterization are species composition and abundance, bloom characteristics, and biomass ^[3].

The list of case studies where this BQE has been considered is presented at the bottom of the page under Pages in category "Phytoplankton". Click on the name of the case study to see more information.