micrograzing
Micrograzing refers to the consumption of microorganisms by small grazers, typically protists and other microzooplankton, in aquatic and soil environments. It encompasses grazing on bacteria, small algae, and detrital particles by organisms such as ciliates, flagellates, and rotifers. Micrograzing is a key component of the microbial food web and helps link microbial production to higher trophic levels.
Common micrograzers include heterotrophic and mixotrophic protists like ciliates and oligotrichs, as well as naked and
Ecological role: Micrograzing regulates bacterial and small algal populations, shapes community composition, and drives the microbial
Measurement and research: Grazing rates are estimated using approaches such as dilution experiments, ingestion assays with