Synurales diversity in phytoplankton metagenome
Using Synurales (Chrysophyceae) as a model group, this research aims to capture rapid community changes and trace how abiotic and biotic factors influence community structure. Specifically, we seek to uncover the temporal dynamics of phytoplankton community composition by addressing several key questions: i) What are the time scales over which changes in phytoplankton communities occur? ii) Which abiotic and biotic factors are directly related to these community changes? iii) How are specific morphological traits, such as cell size, coloniality, scale type, and the presence of spines, influenced by the studied abiotic (physico-chemical parameters, climate) and biotic factors (zooplankton communities)?