Herbivore optimization curve hypothesis - primary productivity increases with light

2. Kitchell, J. F. et al. 1979. Consumer regulation of nutrient cycling. Bioscience. 29:28-34Low grazing pressure - larger phytoplankton outcompete the smaller phytoplankton, so that primary production was dominated by the relatively slow growth rates of the larger phytoplankters.High rates of herbivory - primary production is low because the phytoplankton biomass density was depressed. Intermediate level of zooplankton abundance - primary productivity is greatest

5. Herbivore optimization curve hypothesis - primary productivity increases with light grazing, then drops off and becomes