title: Dynamics of phytoplankton communities under photoinhibition.
abstract: We analyzed a model of phytoplankton competition for light in a well-mixed water column. The model, proposed by Gerla et al. (Oikos 120:519-527, 2011), assumed inhibition of photosynthesis at high irradiance (photoinhibition). We described the global behavior through mathematical analyses, providing a general solution to the multi-species competition for light with photoinhibition. We classified outcomes of 2- and 3-species competitions as examples, and evaluated feasibility of the theoretical predictions using empirical relationships between photosynthetic production and irradiance. Numerical simulations with published p-I curves indicate that photoinhibition may often lead to strong Allee effects and competitive facilitation among species. Hence, our results suggest that photoinhibition may play a major role in organizing phytoplankton communities.
authors.affiliation: National Center for Theoretical Sciences, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan. sbhsu@math.nthu.edu.tw
authors.forename: Sze-Bi
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Chiu-Ju
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Chih-Hao
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Kohei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoshiyama
mesh_terms: D017753:Ecosystem; D008027:Light; D055641:Mathematical Concepts; D008954:Models, Biological; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000528:radiation effects; D010839:Phytoplankton / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*