A Trait-Based Framework for Explaining Non-additive Effects of Multiple Stressors on Plankton Communities

Phytoplankton communities are increasingly subject to multiple stressors of natural or anthropogenic origin. The cumulative effect of these stressors, however, may vary considerably from the sum of impacts from individual stressors. Nonlinear effects, such as changes in community traits can either b...

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Main Authors: Niousha Taherzadeh, Michael Bengfort, Kai W. Wirtz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2019-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Marine Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmars.2019.00351/full
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author Niousha Taherzadeh
Michael Bengfort
Kai W. Wirtz
author_facet Niousha Taherzadeh
Michael Bengfort
Kai W. Wirtz
author_sort Niousha Taherzadeh
collection DOAJ
description Phytoplankton communities are increasingly subject to multiple stressors of natural or anthropogenic origin. The cumulative effect of these stressors, however, may vary considerably from the sum of impacts from individual stressors. Nonlinear effects, such as changes in community traits can either boost up (synergistic) or weaken (antagonistic) single stressors. Despite previous empirical studies and meta analyses on the interaction types of various multiple stressors, a more fundamental understanding of cumulative effects is lacking. To fill this gap, we here propose a new theoretical framework that is centered on the concept of interaction traits and their trade-offs. The framework is applied to a novel size-based plankton model resolving multi-species phytoplankton-nutrients-detritus-zooplankton dynamics within the upper mixed layer. The model is validated using data from a series of outdoor mesocosm experiments. In the direct aftermath of single perturbations that increase net growth rate, here nutrient enrichment and grazer removal, the simulated phytoplankton community undergoes structural changes as visible in altered community traits. These temporal variations explain why the multiple stressor interaction switches from antagonistic to synergistic as compensatory trait variations reduce over time of the experiment. This finding can be generalized within our trait-based explanatory framework to mechanistically assess and predict effects of other stressor combinations and for other organism groups.
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spelling doaj.art-24d0bcf64ed64d4999fc3aa3f9798d9d2022-12-22T02:40:04ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Marine Science2296-77452019-06-01610.3389/fmars.2019.00351425424A Trait-Based Framework for Explaining Non-additive Effects of Multiple Stressors on Plankton CommunitiesNiousha TaherzadehMichael BengfortKai W. WirtzPhytoplankton communities are increasingly subject to multiple stressors of natural or anthropogenic origin. The cumulative effect of these stressors, however, may vary considerably from the sum of impacts from individual stressors. Nonlinear effects, such as changes in community traits can either boost up (synergistic) or weaken (antagonistic) single stressors. Despite previous empirical studies and meta analyses on the interaction types of various multiple stressors, a more fundamental understanding of cumulative effects is lacking. To fill this gap, we here propose a new theoretical framework that is centered on the concept of interaction traits and their trade-offs. The framework is applied to a novel size-based plankton model resolving multi-species phytoplankton-nutrients-detritus-zooplankton dynamics within the upper mixed layer. The model is validated using data from a series of outdoor mesocosm experiments. In the direct aftermath of single perturbations that increase net growth rate, here nutrient enrichment and grazer removal, the simulated phytoplankton community undergoes structural changes as visible in altered community traits. These temporal variations explain why the multiple stressor interaction switches from antagonistic to synergistic as compensatory trait variations reduce over time of the experiment. This finding can be generalized within our trait-based explanatory framework to mechanistically assess and predict effects of other stressor combinations and for other organism groups.https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmars.2019.00351/fullphytoplanktonmultiple stressorsgrazingnutrient enrichmentantagonisticsynergistic
spellingShingle Niousha Taherzadeh
Michael Bengfort
Kai W. Wirtz
A Trait-Based Framework for Explaining Non-additive Effects of Multiple Stressors on Plankton Communities
Frontiers in Marine Science
phytoplankton
multiple stressors
grazing
nutrient enrichment
antagonistic
synergistic
title A Trait-Based Framework for Explaining Non-additive Effects of Multiple Stressors on Plankton Communities
title_full A Trait-Based Framework for Explaining Non-additive Effects of Multiple Stressors on Plankton Communities
title_fullStr A Trait-Based Framework for Explaining Non-additive Effects of Multiple Stressors on Plankton Communities
title_full_unstemmed A Trait-Based Framework for Explaining Non-additive Effects of Multiple Stressors on Plankton Communities
title_short A Trait-Based Framework for Explaining Non-additive Effects of Multiple Stressors on Plankton Communities
title_sort trait based framework for explaining non additive effects of multiple stressors on plankton communities
topic phytoplankton
multiple stressors
grazing
nutrient enrichment
antagonistic
synergistic
url https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmars.2019.00351/full
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