A Framework for Discussing Seasonal Succession and Coexistence of Phytoplankton Species

• Published in: Limnology and oceanography Vol. 33; no. 5; pp. 1027 - 1036
• Main Author: Evans, Geoffrey T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Waco, TX American Society of Limnology and Oceanography 01-09-1988
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Brackish; Ecological balance; Ecological succession; Ecosystem models; Freshwater; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Grazing; Herbivores; Marine; Phytoplankton; Plankton; Sea water ecosystems; Species; Spring; Summer; Synecology; Marine environment; Circannual rhythm; Plankton; Seasonal variation; Algae; Thallophyta; Species succession
• ISSN: 0024-3590; 1939-5590
• DOI: 10.4319/lo.1988.33.5.1027

Any explanation of seasonal succession of phytoplankton communities should discuss why replaced species reappear, in roughly the same concentrations, in following years. A model of an annual cycle, representing two or more groups of phytoplankton but only one type each of nutrient and herbivore, can exhibit seasonal succession of two groups, and coexistence of three. It shows some of the features common to many instances of succession. Although the model's physical environment repeats exactly from year to year, its plankton populations commonly oscillate with a period of 2 yr or longer. Models with a single, undifferentiated phytoplankton component may overestimate the predictability of plankton populations.