Evaluating the relevance of species sorting and physiological plasticity of phytoplankton communities grown in a multifactor environment

The two important mechanisms influencing the response of phytoplankton communities to alterations abiotic factors in their environment are difficult distinguish: species sorting resulting from a change interspecific competitive pressure, and phenotypic plasticity (here explicitly physiological i.e. species-specific adjustment). A shift composition as well adjustments can lead changes fatty acid that determine food quality for zooplankton consumers. We used consisting five exposed them different light intensities, conditions (constant variable), levels phosphorus supply. Changes were analyzed. compared community pairs differing one factor by calculating Bray-Curtis similarity index both variables. Comparing with was estimate effects plasticity. nutrient supply influenced responses based on most. On hand, relevance highest at cultivation supplies but same environment. Conversely low nutrients appeared dominate light, while high influence response. Overall, under showed lower total content per carbon had increased proportions saturated monounsaturated acids. Instead, produced more eicosapentaenoic acid. Our results suggest shaping highly depends environmental system. Nutrient largest effect, limited conditional effects. However, all these higher trophic levels.