Phytoplankton Diversity Across a Coastal Urbanization and Eutrophication Gradient: The Sepetiba Bay—Ilha Grande Bay Continuum in Rio de Janeiro

Eutrophication acts as an environmental filter, promoting trait convergence and selecting specialist phytoplankton species along an urbanization and eutrophication gradient. This study analyzed phytoplankton diversity across the Sepetiba Bay—Ilha Grande Bay continuum in Rio de Janeiro, revealing significant community differences driven by species replacement rather than loss. Sampling conducted in November 2021 and April 2022 captured functional groups such as strict autotrophs (diatoms and filamentous cyanobacteria) and mixotrophs (dinoflagellates), with increased eutrophication in Sepetiba Bay reducing the dispersion of functional traits. The research used classical diversity indices and Beta-Turnover analyses to assess community structure, highlighting how human settlement impacts coastal ecosystems.

Miranda, F. A. V., Moser, G. A. O., Lima, D. T., Machado, W. T. V., Brandini, N., Fernandes, A. M., Costa, L. V. M., Amaral, M. F., Oliveira, G. B., & Abril, G. Y. (2024). Phytoplankton Diversity Across a Coastal Urbanization and Eutrophication Gradient: The Sepetiba Bay—Ilha Grande Bay Continuum in Rio de Janeiro. Marine Ecology, 45(6). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/maec.12838