Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2025

Author Spotlight: Unveiling Plankton Response to Climate Change Through Time-Series Data and Artistic Expression
Published on: July 28, 2023
Seasonal dynamics and key drivers of phytoplankton community structure in the Eastern Indian Ocean
Xingzhou Wang1, Xi Wu2, Jun Sun1
1College of Marine Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, China; Research Centre for Indian Ocean Ecosystem, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China; State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, China.
Abstract:
To fully understand variation in phytoplankton community structure in the Eastern Indian Ocean (EIO), two research cruises were carried out during September-November 2020, and March-May 2021. The phytoplankton community in the EIO was mainly composed of cyanobacteria and diatoms in 2020, cyanobacteria in 2021. Trichodesmium thiebaultii was the dominant specie in both years. The phytoplankton community of the EIO was classified into two provinces based on cluster. The RDA results indicated that in 2020, DIP was the predominant factor influencing phytoplankton abundance, but DIN as the main factor affecting phytoplankton abundance in 2021. Meanwhile, the SEM demonstrated that temperature and salinity indirectly influenced phytoplankton abundance by affecting nutrient concentrations (DIN and DIP) and vertical stratification index (VSI). Changes in nutrient concentrations had a greater impact on phytoplankton communities, especially diatoms and dinoflagellates. The phytoplankton community shifted from cyanobacteria to diatoms when VSI decrease, the composition of the community was also more complex. The composition and assembly mechanisms of phytoplankton communities indicated that seasonal seawater mixing enhanced growth and interspecific interactions, thus increasing network complexity and significantly influencing community structure.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Primary Production
Biological Clocks and Seasonal Responses
What are Biogeochemical Cycles?
What is an Ecosystem?
The Phosphorus Cycle
Keystone Species

