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Using an affinity analysis to identify phytoplankton associations
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  • Weiju Zhu,
  • Zhaojian Ding,
  • Yangdong Pan,
  • Quanxi Wang
Weiju Zhu
Qiongtai Normal University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Zhaojian Ding
Qiongtai Normal University
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Yangdong Pan
Portland State University
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Quanxi Wang
Shanghai Normal University
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Abstract

Phytoplankton functional traits can represent particular environmental conditions in complex aquatic ecosystems. Categorizing phytoplankton species into functional groups is challenging and time-consuming, and requires high-level expertise on species autecology. In this study, we introduced an affinity analysis to aid identification of candidate associations of phytoplankton from two datasets comprised of phytoplankton and environmental information. In the Huaihe River Basin with a drainage area of 270,000 km2 in China, samples were collected from 217 selected sites during the low-water period in May 2013; monthly samples were collected during 2006-2011 in a man-made pond, Dishui Lake. Our results indicated that the affinity analysis can be used to define some meaningful functional groups. The identified phytoplankton associations reflect the ecological preferences of phytoplankton in terms of light and nutrients acquisition. Advantages and disadvantages of applying the affinity analysis to identify phytoplankton associations are discussed with perspectives of their utility in ecological assessment.
28 Dec 2021Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
17 Jan 2022Submission Checks Completed
17 Jan 2022Assigned to Editor
20 Jan 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
17 Mar 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
18 Mar 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
11 May 20221st Revision Received
11 May 2022Submission Checks Completed
11 May 2022Assigned to Editor
11 May 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
18 May 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
07 Jun 2022Editorial Decision: Accept
Jul 2022Published in Ecology and Evolution volume 12 issue 7. 10.1002/ece3.9047