Ecological assessments with algae: a review and synthesis

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Ecology
• Phycology

Background:

• Algae have been utilized for over a century in environmental assessments of aquatic ecosystems worldwide.
• Algae play crucial roles in aquatic food webs and biogeochemical cycles, but high abundances of nuisance or toxic taxa can threaten ecosystem services.
• Algal indicators are essential for assessing ecosystem health, contaminants, and habitat alterations (stressors).

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize recent advances in algal ecology for environmental assessment and management.
• To provide a framework guiding the design and application of phycology in assessments to support management decisions.
• To improve the application of algal ecology, taxonomy, and physiology in environmental management.

Main Methods:

• Review and synthesis of recent advances in algal ecology and environmental assessment.
• Analysis of how algal assemblages indicate ecosystem goods and services and respond to stressors.
• Examination of site-specific models and stressor-response relationships for diagnosing threats.

Main Results:

• Algae serve as critical indicators of ecosystem goods and services, complementing their use in assessing contaminants and habitat alterations.
• Site-specific models improve the characterization of ecological condition by accounting for natural habitat variability.
• Understanding algal responses to stressors, including thresholds, aids in establishing management targets and stakeholder consensus.

Conclusions:

• Advances in algal ecology provide a robust framework for environmental assessment and management.
• Improved understanding of algal assemblages and their responses to stressors enhances the diagnosis and management of threats to aquatic ecosystems.
• Future research focusing on regional resilience, ecosystem services, and monitoring methods will further refine water resource management strategies.