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Updated: Feb 10, 2026

Author Spotlight: Unveiling Plankton Response to Climate Change Through Time-Series Data and Artistic Expression
Published on: July 28, 2023
Morphology-based differences in the thermal response of freshwater phytoplankton
Angel M Segura1, Florencia Sarthou2, Carla Kruk3,4
1Modelización y análisis de Recursos Naturales, Centro Universitario Regional Este, Universidad de la República, Ruta 9 y 15, Rocha, Uruguay asegura@cure.edu.uy.
Abstract:
The thermal response of maximum growth rate in morphology-based functional groups (MBFG) of freshwater phytoplankton is analysed. Contrasting an exponential Boltzmann-Arrhenius with a unimodal model, three main features were evaluated: (i) the activation energy of the rise (Er), (ii) the presence of a break in the thermal response and (iii) the activation energy of the fall (Ef). The whole dataset (N = 563) showed an exponential increase (Er ∼ 0.5), a break around 24°C and no temperature dependence after the breakpoint (Ef = 0). Contrasting thermal responses among MBFG were found. All groups showed positive activation energy (Er > 0), four showed no evidence of decline in growth rate (temperature range = 0-35°C) and two presented a breakpoint followed by a sharp decrease in growth rate. Our results evidenced systematic differences between MBFG in the thermal response and a coherent response significantly related to morphological traits other than size (i.e. within MBFG). These results provide relevant information for water quality modelling and climate change predictions.
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