Taming Diversity Through the Traits of Size and Stoichiometry

While taxonomists are interested in how phytoplankton species relate structurally or genetically, phytoplankton ecologists are interested in why species occur where they do. Thus, rather than focusing only on species distributions, the diversity of form and function is of interest. By thinking in terms of different strategies for resource acquisition, growth, reproduction, and survival, the natural distribution of phytoplankton not only begins to make sense but also becomes more predictable. Traits, whether they be elemental acquisition and metabolism, cell size, or life history traits or other, help to provide how and why different species respond as they do. Traits transcend taxonomy. In this chapter, the traits of cell size and elemental stoichiometry are examined. Size matters. Ratios matter. Traits matter.