The relationship between inorganic nutrients and diversity of dinoflagellate cysts: An evaluation from the perspective of species abundance distribution

The relationships between the inorganic nutrients and diversity of dinoflagellate cysts (the N-Dc relationships) are one most central issues in coastal ecology. It is not only an important pathway to explore ecological processes plankton, but also a key element for assessing eutrophication marine ecosystems. Although have been studied many years, they remained controversial, which may be attributed (1) using samples collected from single source (2) considering insufficient range nutrient concentrations (3) rarely taking into account species abundance distributions (SAD) that could better represent diversity. In this study, evaluated according compiled dataset, cover wide concentrations. Species estimated by four common metrics new SAD parameter. Results show all negative with nutrients, supports low considered as signal eutrophication. Additionally, study finds pattern ( N r / 1 , -th first descending order) decreasing appears gradually approach 1: 1/2: 1/3…. future, if can verified more investigations, understanding likely provide direction managing ecosystem, even exploring general mechanisms determining