planktonically

Planktonically refers to the manner in which an organism exists as plankton. Plankton are a diverse group of organisms that drift in bodies of water, carried by currents. They are unable to swim effectively against these currents, or their swimming ability is limited. The term "planktonically" describes this passive mode of life, where an organism's horizontal position is largely determined by the water's movement. This contrasts with nektonic organisms, which are active swimmers. Planktonically describes the lifestyle of organisms that are part of the plankton community, encompassing a vast range of sizes from microscopic bacteria and phytoplankton to larger zooplankton like jellyfish. Their existence is fundamentally tied to the flow of the ocean or freshwater systems. The word emphasizes the reliance on water movement for dispersal and survival, impacting where these organisms are found and how they interact with their environment. Many marine and freshwater species spend at least part of their life cycle planktonically, even if they become more mobile as adults.