What drives growth responses of nitrogen and phosphorus (co-)limited primary producer communities?

We explored the possible mechanisms driving nutrient co-limitation patterns in communities of autotrophs. To test our hypotheses, we used phytoplankton communities of different species grown in experimental microcosms under nutrient-limiting conditions. With this work, we tried to address and fill a knowledge gap on mechanisms involved in nutrient (co-)limitation at the community level and we also highlighted the importance of predicting and understanding nutrient (co-)limitation patterns of primary producer communities.