Ocean climate change, phytoplankton community responses, and harmful algal blooms: A formidable predictive challenge
In: Journal of Phycology. Blackwell Science: New York. ISSN 0022-3646; e-ISSN 1529-8817, more
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| Available in | Author |
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Document type: Review
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| Keywords |
Abundance
Acidification
Algae
Algal blooms
Aquatic communities > Plankton
Aquatic communities > Plankton > Phytoplankton
Biological phenomena > Adaptations > Acclimation
Chemical compounds > Carbon compounds > Atmospheric gases > Carbon dioxide
Chemical reactions > Photochemical reactions > Photosynthesis
Climatic changes
Ecosystems
Environmental effects > Temperature effects
Layers > Water column
Nutrients (mineral)
Properties > Water properties > Temperature > Water temperature
AN, North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal |
| Author keywords |
adaptation; algal blooms; climate change; continuous plankton recorder;ENSO; NAO; ocean acidification; range expansion |
| Abstract |
Prediction of the impact of global climate change on marine HABs is fraught with difficulties. How- ever, we can learn important lessons from the fossil record of dinoflagellate cysts; long-term monitoring programs, such as the Continuous Plankton Recor- der surveys; and short-term phytoplankton commu- nity responses to El Nin o Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) epi- sodes. Increasing temperature, enhanced surface stratification, alteration of ocean currents, intensifi- cation or weakening of local nutrient upwelling, stimulation of photosynthesis by elevated CO2, reduced calcification through ocean acidification (the other CO2 problem), and heavy precipitation and storm events causing changes in land runoff and micronutrient availability may all produce con- tradictory species- or even strain-specific responses. Complex factor interactions exist, and simulated ecophysiological laboratory experiments rarely allow for sufficient acclimation and rarely take into account physiological plasticity and genetic strain diversity. We can expect: (i) range expansion of warm-water species at the expense of cold-water spe- cies, which are driven poleward; (ii) species- specific changes in the abundance and seasonal window of growth of HAB taxa; (iii) earlier timing of peak production of some phytoplankton; and (iv) secondary effects for marine food webs, notably when individual zooplankton and fish grazers are dif- ferentially impacted (match-mismatch) by climate change. Some species of harmful algae (e.g., toxic dinoflagellates benefitting from land runoff and or water column stratification, tropical benthic dinofla- gellates responding to increased water temperatures and coral reef disturbance) may become more suc- cessful, while others may diminish in areas currently impacted. Our limited understanding of marine eco- system responses to multifactorial physicochemical climate drivers as well as our poor knowledge of the potential of marine microalgae to adapt genetically and phenotypically to the unprecedented pace of current climate change are emphasized. The greatest problems for human society will be caused by being unprepared for significant range expansions or the increase of algal biotoxin problems in currently poorly monitored areas, thus calling for increased vigilance in seafood-biotoxin and HAB monitoring programs. Changes in phytoplankton communities provide a sensitive early warning for climate-driven perturbations to marine ecosystems. |
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