Ecology of Algae and Cyanobacteria (Phytoplankton)

This chapter discusses major environmental factors that control the abundance and community composition of phytoplankton (algae and Cyanobacteria). It then describes key biotic interactions that phytoplankton are involved in, such as competition, grazing, mutualism, allelopathy, and parasitism. We use trait-based approaches, where traits are morphological, physiological, or phenological heritable features, to address the mechanisms that structure phytoplankton communities, explore the relationships between traits, and explore trait differences among phytoplankton groups. Major patterns in phytoplankton spatial (vertical and horizontal) and temporal (succession) distributions are discussed. Finally, the chapter highlights how major global change stressors (warming, increased CO2, eutrophication) are likely to impact the assembly of phytoplankton communities, including harmful algae, in the future.