Temperature and the size of freshwater phytoplankton.

Zohary, Tamar, Flaim, Giovanna and Sommer, Ulrich (2021) Temperature and the size of freshwater phytoplankton. Hydrobiologia, 848 . pp. 143-155. DOI 10.1007/s10750-020-04246-6.

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Abstract

We review the literature on the relationship between water temperature and size of freshwater phytoplankton, to examine the hypothesis that freshwater phytoplankton, like marine phytoplankton and many other groups of organisms, conform to Bergmann's Rule and become smaller with warming. We provide both experimental and field evidence in support of the above hypothesis, much of this evidence was hidden in studies focused on other issues, but presenting temperature and phytoplankton size data. Freshwater phytoplankton size shrinks with increasing temperature at both the species level (by cells or colonies becoming smaller) and at the community level (shift to smaller species). Exceptions to the Rule do occur but in most cases those exceptions can be explained by indirect effects of temperature on phytoplankton size, via processes such as grazing or nutrient availability. With global warming, freshwater phytoplankton are likely to be of smaller size. This article is dedicated to Colin S. Reynolds, who has had a leading role in our personal education and understanding of phytoplankton ecology.

Document Type: Article
Keywords: Cell size; Colony size; Intra-specific; Inter-specific; Seasonal
Research affiliation: OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB3 Marine Ecology > FB3-EOE-B Experimental Ecology - Benthic Ecology
Main POF Topic: PT6: Marine Life
Refereed: Yes
Open Access Journal?: No
Publisher: Springer
Date Deposited: 07 May 2020 07:32
Last Modified: 07 Feb 2024 15:42
URI: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/49621

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