Publication Date:
2015-02-10
Description:
We investigated the effects of warming on a
natural phytoplankton community from the Baltic Sea,
based on six mesocosm experiments conducted
2005–2009. We focused on differences in the dynamics of
three phytoplankton size groups which are grazed to a
variable extent by different zooplankton groups. While
small-sized algae were mostly grazer-controlled, light and
nutrient availability largely determined the growth of
medium- and large-sized algae. Thus, the latter groups
dominated at increased light levels. Warming increased
mesozooplankton grazing on medium-sized algae, reducing
their biomass. The biomass of small-sized algae was not
affected by temperature, probably due to an interplay
between indirect effects spreading through the food web.
Thus, under the higher temperature and lower light levels
anticipated for the next decades in the southern Baltic Sea,
a higher share of smaller phytoplankton is expected. We
conclude that considering the size structure of the phytoplankton
community strongly improves the reliability of
projections of climate change effects.
Repository Name:
EPIC Alfred Wegener Institut
Type:
Article
,
isiRev
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