Even tiny creatures like plankton need food to survive. Phytoplankton make their own food by converting energy from sunlight into food. This process is called photosynthesis. We call these tiny converters primary producers. Microscopic zooplankton can eat phytoplankton, but large zooplankton, like jellyfish, can eat even small fish. Plankton are very important food sources to many organisms and are considered to be the base of the aquatic food chain.

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Here is another example of a Chesapeake Bay food chain:

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Food chains can overlap and form a complex food web. One example of an ocean food web can be seen here.

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Use the GULP worksheet that your teacher will provide you to design and draw a simple Chesapeake Bay food chain using the creatures listed below. Your food chain should include drawings, labels, and clearly show the order of the chain.

The Chesapeake Bay food chain should include:

• baby crabs
• algae
• osprey (a bird of prey)
• striped bass (rockfish)