Figure 9-26: Earth’s Biosphere This image, based on data from the SeaWIFS spacecraft, shows the distribution of plant life over Earth’s surface. Phytoplankton, which is a microorganism in fresh and ocean water, is a plant and contains the chlorophyll mapped in this image. Phytoplankton is more abundant where cold water brings nutrients to the surface. About equal parts of Earth’s atmospheric oxygen come from land-based plants and phytoplankton.
(NASA)