Distribution of size-fractionated phytoplankton biomass from the anthropogenically stressed tropical creek (Thane creek, India)

Typology of planktonic food webs and associated emerging properties as indicators of the ecological status of a permanently disturbed Gulf of Gabès

“…3 B). Nutrients are always considered as the main factor controlling the size structure of primary producers, which in turn influence the food web organization (Legendre and Rassoulzadegan, 1995;Sakka Hlaili et al, 2008;Filiz et al, 2020;Hardikar et al, 2021). It is well admitted that identifying the dominant phytoplankton size fractions could play a crucial role in predicting food web types (Richardson and Jackson, 2007).…”

“…For example, Bellinger et al (2006) and Hardikar et al (2021) highlighted that the size fraction of producers, i.e., small versus large phytoplankton, could be used as a robust indicator of the trophic level of the system and the carbon transfer pathway. In our study, nutrients appeared as significant environmental discriminant factors of the stations, in which small and large phytoplankton played different roles in biogenic carbon production (MFA, Fig.…”