Find out how tiny sea creatures could be having a big effect on the movement of ocean waters.

For the first time, scientists are able to predict seafloor biodiversity using satellite images of the ocean surface. Images of phytoplankton colour as they float on the surface of the sea are used to create a model of sea life distribution on the seafloor. Phytoplankton play a vital role in the ocean food chain, and their availability is an indication of how much life exists below the surface. The model can be used to predict seafloor biodiversity in regions that aren't physically reachable, like the Antarctic continental shelf, and help to understand how climate change will affect ecosystems.