Di Marino, Claudio (2026) Trait-based analysis of phytoplankton communities as monitoring tool for marine biodiversity and ecosystems functioning in a changing Mediterranean Sea. [Tesi di dottorato]

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Abstract

Phytoplankton plays a key role in marine ecosystems by supporting primary production, regulating biogeochemical cycles, and responding rapidly to environmental change. In this context, trait-based approaches provide a useful framework to interpret community dynamics beyond taxonomy, focusing on functional properties such as cell size, pigment composition, and photo-physiological traits. This thesis investigated the ecological significance of phytoplankton functional traits and their potential as monitoring tools in a changing Mediterranean Sea. The study was conducted in three contrasting systems: the Fusaro Lagoon, Mediterranean coastal habitats associated with Paramuricea clavata forests, and the coastal area of Flødevigen-Arendal in Norway. Phytoplankton biomass, size structure, and pigment composition were analysed together with environmental variables, including temperature, salinity, and nutrients. The results showed that functional traits closely tracked environmental variability across spatial and temporal scales. In particular, cell size and pigment signatures consistently reflected changes in trophic conditions, hydrodynamics, and seasonal forcing. Overall, this work demonstrates that trait-based analysis is a robust and informative approach for understanding phytoplankton community reorganization and for improving marine ecosystem monitoring under ongoing environmental change.

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