Diversity and Succession: Metrics, Models, Mandalas, and Intaglios

This chapter explores some of the ways in which diversity and succession of phytoplankton species have been characterized. Diversity, or richness, has classically reflected the number of species in a particular sample or community; however, as tools and knowledge of phytoplankton have developed, so too have our characterizations of phytoplankton diversity. There is continuing interest in studying the “grand patterns” among species distributions and how diversity can be quantified. The focus here is on the conceptual models of succession and the dynamics of blooms, including the patterns of ecological succession and the abiotic determinants contributing especially to harmful algal bloom (HAB) taxa. Ramon Margalef’s classic Mandala of successional change and various interpretations since are described in this chapter.