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Cell Size Decrease and Altered Size Structure of Phytoplankton Constrain Ecosystem Functioning in the Middle Danube
András Abonyi1,2, Keve Tihamér Kiss3, András Hidas3,4
1Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Ecology and Botany, Alkotmány u 2-4, Vácrátót, 2163 Hungary.
Ecosystems (New York, N.Y.)
|October 2, 2020
Summary
Global warming is shrinking phytoplankton cell size in the Danube River. This decrease in average cell size (ACS) impacts algal biomass production and ecosystem function.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Limnology
- Global Change Biology
Background:
- Global warming drives universal ecological responses, including reduced body size in ectothermic aquatic organisms.
- Limited understanding exists on how altered body size affects ecosystem functioning in these organisms.
- Phytoplankton cell size is a critical factor influencing aquatic ecosystems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in phytoplankton cell size structure in the middle Danube River over 34 years.
- To investigate the impact of global warming and human activities on average cell size (ACS) of phytoplankton.
- To determine how altered phytoplankton size structure affects the relationship between chlorophyll-a and ACS.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of phytoplankton cell size trends at multiple levels: assemblage, centric diatom community, and dominant taxon (Stephanodiscus).
- Statistical analysis of environmental variables, including global warming indicators and human impacts.
- Examination of the temporal shift in the relationship between chlorophyll-a and ACS.
Main Results:
- Significant decrease in phytoplankton cell size across all analyzed levels over the 34-year period.
- Assemblages showed increased dispersion in cell size over time.
- Environmental variables linked to global warming and human impacts significantly affected ACS.
- The relationship between chlorophyll-a and ACS shifted from negative linear to a hump shape.
- Factors like longer water residence time, warming, and reduced nutrients/suspended solids decrease phytoplankton ACS.
Conclusions:
- Decreased phytoplankton cell size, particularly in centric diatoms, constrains planktic algal biomass production in large rivers.
- Altered cell size structure can affect higher trophic levels and promote "clear-water" plankton occurrences.
- Findings highlight the cascading effects of global change on riverine ecosystem functioning.
Keywords:
Body sizeCommunity responseEcosystem functioningEctothermic aquatic organismsGlobal warmingHuman impactsLarge riversPotamoplanktonMore Related Videos
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