Phytoplankton ecosystem responses to environmental changes in the East China Sea and potential areas for future collaborations

Abstract

The Changjiang River is the main nutrient source for the East China Sea. During the last two decades, the Changjiang River and its estuary have been undergoing drastic ecosystem modifications mainly caused by anthropogenic eutrophication and dam construction. For the Changjiang River estuary and its vinicity area, there are many reports that these long-term anthropogenic activities are the main causes for the frequent red tide breakouts as well as changes in phytoplankton community structure and primary productivity in the Changjiang River estuary. Through various studies focused on the area, environmental and ecosystem changes in the Changjiang River mouth area are well described. However, offshore areas further away from the river mouth, there is still much to be ascertained especially the ecosystem responses to the environmental pressures from the Changjiang River.d dam construction. For the Changjiang River estuary and its vinicity area, there are many reports that these long-term anthropogenic activities are the main causes for the frequent red tide breakouts as well as changes in phytoplankton community structure and primary productivity in the Changjiang River estuary. Through various studies focused on the area, environmental and ecosystem changes in the Changjiang River mouth area are well described. However, offshore areas further away from the river mouth, there is still much to be ascertained especially the ecosystem responses to the environmental pressures from the Changjiang River.