The immeasurable value of plankton to humanity

Plankton, a diverse group of aquatic organisms, make Earth livable, regulate aquatic life, and provide benefits to human societies such as access to clean water, food security, and well-being. They also support economies and inspire biotechnological innovations. However, their important role is often not being recognized. We review the value of plankton and present it across six themes of human interest: “Biogeochemistry,” “Ecology,” “Climate,” “Evolution of Science,” “Economy,” and “Culture, Recreation, and Well-being”. Additionally, we provide examples of plankton indicators used in policy frameworks and recommendations for enhancing understanding of their value through long-term sustainable research and monitoring. Guided by the 2022 Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services assessment, we introduce the six themes under the Life Framework of Values to offer a comprehensive summary of the significance of plankton to humanity. In this review we raise awareness towards the value of plankton to humanity for it to serve as an informative guide for aquatic professionals, policymakers, and anyone interested in plankton.