Primary Producers: Phytoplankton Ecology and Trophic Dynamics in Coastal Waters

Authors

H. W. Paerl, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
D. Justic, Louisiana State University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-6-2012

Abstract

Phytoplankton are the most abundant and widespread primary producers in the world's oceans and as such they support a bulk of marine food webs and strongly influence biogeochemical cycling. Phytoplankton are phylogenetically and functionally diverse, with community structure and activity controlled by a suite of environmental factors, including freshwater inputs, nutrient supplies, light, circulation, and consumption by grazers. Human and climatically induced environmental changes are important drivers of phytoplankton dynamics, trophic and biogeochemical states, and related water quality and habitat conditions of coastal ecosystems.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Treatise on Estuarine and Coastal Science

First Page

23

Last Page

42

Recommended Citation

Paerl, H., & Justic, D. (2012). Primary Producers: Phytoplankton Ecology and Trophic Dynamics in Coastal Waters. Treatise on Estuarine and Coastal Science, 6, 23-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-374711-2.00603-3