Local rock pool microalgal communities on the Baltic Sea coast were studied to understand how taxonomic (species richness) and functional diversity (traits determining species roles) are influenced by different factors. The researchers found that both types of diversity were mainly affected by water conductivity, temperature, and pool location. While taxonomic diversity was also influenced by pool distance to the sea, functional diversity was more related to pool location. Overall, the study showed that taxonomic and functional diversity in these communities covary, suggesting that both types of diversity metrics are important for assessing coastal microbial biodiversity.