Mismatched Phytoplankton and Zooplankton: Climate Warming and Eutrophication Impact

Climate warming and eutrophication can lead to a stoichiometric mismatch between phytoplankton and zooplankton in aquatic ecosystems. When these stressors act individually, the mismatch increases due to the increased nutrient demand of zooplankton. However, when climate warming and eutrophication act together, the mismatch is reversed due to changes in the species composition of the zooplankton community. Understanding the effects of global change on stoichiometric mismatches requires considering both cross-trophic levels and compositional changes within communities.