Jan. 9, Tuesday -- In the San Juan Islands of Washington, UC Davis researchers will host Brandon Jensen of Western Washington University for a public talk on the essential role of phytoplankton in Eastsound (the large sound in the middle of Orcas Island). Phytoplankton (tiny marine plants) and zooplankton (tiny marine animals) are the base of the marine food chain, and human activities can impact their health. The 2006-2007 Marine Science Lecture Series is presented by the SeaDoc Society, which is a marine ecosystem health program of UC Davis, and YMCA Camp Orkila. The free program begins at 7 p.m. at the Camp Orkila Marine Salmon Science Center on Orcas Island. The SeaDoc Society focuses on the North American Pacific Ocean. Emphasis is given to issues facing the inland waters of Washington state and British Columbia, Canada (the Puget Sound/Northwest Straits/Georgia Basin region). [A microscopic photo of plankton is available from Sylvia Wright, below.]