Toxicity and refuge control phytoplankton population, additional food saves zooplankton.
The study presents a model of how phytoplankton and zooplankton interact in an ecosystem. Phytoplankton can hide and release toxins to avoid being eaten, while zooplankton are given extra food to survive. High toxicity and hiding places can wipe out zooplankton, but extra food helps them survive and controls phytoplankton growth. Hiding and extra food make the system more stable. Seasonal changes in nutrients and toxins create patterns in the populations, and changing hiding spots can lead to a specific pattern of behavior. Providing more food for zooplankton can simplify the ecosystem.