Microfest at the Exploratorium

Conservation often starts with the smallest organisms. That’s why at Point Blue we study zooplankton – tiny animals that drift through the ocean. From copepods to chaetognaths to krill, these animals comprise the base of the marine food web. Though they are tiny, they feed some of the biggest animals on our planet.  Because zooplankton are so important to so many animals, changes in their species, abundance, and distribution have big impacts on the ocean.

Using microscopy, we look at small structures like denticles, rostrums, antennae, setae, and carapaces to identify zooplankton species. These details allow us to track biodiversity, monitor environmental change, and better understand the health of our marine ecosystem.

At the Exploratorium Micro Fest you’ll have the chance to see zooplankton up close through a microscope and discover the surprising diversity in a single drop of seawater!

No registration required. You can visit us with regular admission into the museum. Visit this link to find out more and get your Exploratorium tickets.

Photo by Moira Galbraith (Fisheries and Oceans Canada)