Top-Down Control of Phytoplankton by Oysters in Chesapeake Bay, USA: Reply to Newell et al. (2007)

Lawrence R. Pomeroy
Christopher F. D'Elia, University of South Florida
Linda C. Schaffner

Abstract

Recently published models, which allow for spatial and temporal matching of oyster and phytoplankton populations in mainstream Chesapeake Bay, support the conclusion of Pomeroy et al. (2006; Mar Ecol Prog Ser 325:301-309) that oysters cannot, and could not, control the spring blooms that are the ultimate cause of summer hypoxia. We enlarge upon our earlier exposition of how top-down and bottom-up processes interact in Chesapeake Bay to permit the occurrence of phytoplankton blooms in spring, but not in summer.