Multiscale analysis of autotroph-heterotroph interactions in a high-temperature microbial community
Fig 4
Overlaying simulation of various nutrient limitation, relative population abundance, and in situ parameters A) indicates a maximization of total community growth rates and B) established an upper limit for the total concentration of biomass in the studied mat community.
Three oxygen fluxes, representing 50, 100, and 200%, of the average observed oxygen flux (420 nmol O2 cm-2 h-1) provided upper and lower bounds of resource availability [12,14]. Each modeled oxygen flux was analyzed using the predicted most efficient metabolic strategy for utilization of oxygen (solid line) and carbon (dashed line). Consistent with in situ sequence data, the predicted relative population abundance was 0.3 to 0.5 autotroph to heterotroph (vertical boxed area) based on maximum in vitro specific growth rate and community stability.