An experimental test of the intermediate disturbance hypothesis using cultures of marine phytoplankton.

Sommer, Ulrich (1995) An experimental test of the intermediate disturbance hypothesis using cultures of marine phytoplankton. Open Access Limnology and Oceanography, 40 (7). pp. 1271-1277. DOI 10.4319/lo.1995.40.7.1271.

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Abstract

I tested the extent to which differences in light supply could influence the outcome of nutrient (Si and N) competition between marine phytoplankton. Competition experiments were performed with 11 species of marine phytoplankton at Si: N ratios from 16 to 124 : 1, light intensities from 28 to 225 µmol quanta m−2 s−1, and three different daylengths. Thus, light supply was the composite result of two components: photoperiod and intensity. Diatoms were dominant competitors at higher Si: N ratios, nonsiliceous flagellates at lower ones. Light had no impact on the transition from flagellate to diatom dominance along the Si: N gradient. However, species within those groups were separated along the light gradient. Contrary to theoretical expectations, changes in light intensity and changes in daylength led to similar shifts in species dominance. Therefore, it was possible to describe the light climate by the integral parameter “daily light dose.”

Document Type: Article
Keywords: Food Webs; marine phytoplankton
Research affiliation: OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB3 Marine Ecology > FB3-EOE-N Experimental Ecology - Food Webs
Refereed: Yes
Open Access Journal?: No
Publisher: ASLO (Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography)
Date Deposited: 27 Mar 2012 08:45
Last Modified: 25 Jun 2018 13:24
URI: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/14120

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