Disentangling physical and biological drivers of phytoplankton dynamics in a coastal system.

ABSTRACT: This proof-of-concept study integrates the surface currents measured by high-frequency coastal radars with plankton time-series data collected at a fixed sampling point from the Mediterranean Sea (MareChiara Long Term Ecological Research site in the Gulf of Naples) to characterize the spatial origin of phytoplankton assemblages and to scrutinize the processes ruling their dynamics. The phytoplankton community generally originated from the coastal waters whereby species succession was mainly regulated by biological factors (life-cycle processes, species-specific physiological performances and inter-specific interactions). Physical factors, e.g. the alternation between coastal and offshore waters and the horizontal mixing, were also important drivers of phytoplankton dynamics promoting diver

SUBMITTER: Cianelli D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5696475 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature