Ability of phytoplankton trait sensitivity to highlight anthropogenic pressures in Mediterranean lagoons: A size spectra sensitivity index (ISS-phyto)

- Phytoplankton size spectra exhibit patterns of variation in response to environmental pressures.
- ISS-phyto is able to discriminate between disturbed and undisturbed ecosystems.
- The best fits of pressure-response curves were observed with salinity and enrichment gradients.
- An ISS-phyto-based scheme for Ecological Quality Status classification is proposed.