Towards a functional classification of the freshwater phytoplankton

2002/05/01 by C. S. Reynolds, Vera L. M. Huszar, Carla Kruk +2 · 10 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Environmental Science · Materials Science · #Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics #Diatoms and Algae Research #Marine and coastal ecosystems

paper · doi:10.1093/plankt/24.5.417

openalex publication_date 2002/05/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01

Abstract

This paper considers the structure of freshwater phytoplankton assemblages and promotes a scheme of ‘vegetation recognition', based upon the functional associations of species represented in the plankton. These groups are often polyphyletic, recognizing commonly shared adaptive features, rather than common phylogeny, to be the key ecological driver. Thirty-one such associations are outlined and the basic pattern of their distinctive ecologies is outlined. An invitation to other plankton scientists to assist in the development of this scheme is issued.

Citations

• Phytoplankton assemblages and their periodicity in stratifying lake systems

Cited by

• The relative importance of dispersal and local factors in structuring phytoplankton communities in high mountain lakes in the Pyrenees
• Trait-Based Community Ecology of Phytoplankton
• Temporal Patterns in Bacterial Communities in Three Temperate Lakes of Different Trophic Status
• Chrono- and archaeostratigraphy and development of the River Amstel: results of the North/South underground line excavations, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
• Impacts of multiple stressors on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning: the role of species co‐tolerance
• Lethal microbial blooms delayed freshwater ecosystem recovery following the end-Permian extinction
• The proliferation of the toxic cyanobacterium Planktothrix rubescens following restoration of the largest natural French lake (Lac du Bourget)
• Defining Planktonic Protist Functional Groups on Mechanisms for Energy and Nutrient Acquisition: Incorporation of Diverse Mixotrophic Strategies
• Extreme weather events influence the phytoplankton community structure in a large lowland subtropical lake (Lake Okeechobee, Florida, USA)
• Freshwater phytoplankton [wikipedia]