其实,the fact后面的同位语从句,that是存在的,只是,没在一般情况下的位置上.
Perhaps the fact【 many of these first studies considered only algae of a size 】【that引导同位语从句】 could be collected in a net (net phytoplankton), a practice that overlooked the smaller phytoplankton (nannoplankton) that we now know grazers are most likely to feed on（以.为生） , led to a de-emphasis of the role of grazers in subsequent research
当然,这个位置非常特殊的that,是可以放在fact 后面的,只是,作者应该是有所强调而采用了此变化形式.
祝你开心如意!O(∩_∩)O~~