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The dynamics of aquatic systems. 2. The effects of nutrient enrichment on model plankton communities 1, 2
Author(s) -
Lam Patricia,
Levins Richard
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 1939-5590
pISSN - 0024-3590
DOI - 10.4319/lo.1977.22.3.0454
Subject(s) - nutrient , plankton , algae , environmental science , ecology , biological system , set (abstract data type) , biochemical engineering , computer science , biology , engineering , programming language
When results of laboratory experiments on the effects of nutrient enrichment of algal cultures are extrapolated to field conditions, the predictions of the experiments are seldom fulfilled, because the behavior of a species in a network of interacting variables in nature is quite different from its behavior under controlled conditions. The method of loop analysis is used to demonstrate the properties of a set of models containing three kinds of algae and three kinds of nutrients. Many unexpected effects develop from the interactions within the network, and one‐link physiological effects cannot be extrapolated to ecological situations. For these situations, it is recommended that Liebig’s law of the minimum be replaced by a more holistic approach.