Use this excerpt from the “A Walk Through the Rainbow with PACE" article to answer the question.
Based on the information in the article, make a logical inference about the significance of PACE and its study of phytoplankton populations. In 3–5 sentences, provide specific evidence from the text to support your inference and explain why your reasoning is logical and valid.
1 answer
The significance of PACE and its study of phytoplankton populations is that it provides crucial information about the health and productivity of the oceans. The article states that PACE will measure the color of the ocean to estimate the amount of phytoplankton present, which is a key indicator of ecosystem health. Additionally, it mentions that phytoplankton play a critical role in carbon cycling, ocean productivity, and oxygen production. Therefore, studying phytoplankton populations can help scientists assess the overall health and functioning of marine ecosystems. The reasoning is logical and valid because it is supported by the specific evidence provided in the article.