Elena Litchman

I am interested in how the interplay of biotic and abiotic factors structures phytoplankton communities in both freshwater and marine environments. Currently our lab focuses on the following questions: Effects of Temporal and Spatial Heterogeneity on Phytoplankton Communities. Ecological Traits, Trade-offs and Community Structure, We seek to understand how ecological traits and trade-offs determine plankton community structure under different environmental conditions. Broad Patterns in Plankton Diversity and Trait Distributions. Global Change and Harmful Algal Blooms. Invasive Microbes. Nitrogen-fixers in phytoplankton communities.