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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 6, 2025

Thermal Limits Determination for Zooplankton Using a Heat Block

Thermal Limits Determination for Zooplankton Using a Heat Block

Published on: November 18, 2022

Phytoplankton competition and resilience under fluctuating temperature.

Philipp Siegel¹, Kirralee G Baker^1,2, Etienne Low-Décarie^1,3

¹School of Life Sciences University of Essex Colchester Campus Colchester UK.

Ecology and Evolution

|March 23, 2023

Summary

Environmental variability impacts species interactions. Phytoplankton resilience to temperature fluctuations varies with nitrogen availability, potentially leading to unpredictable community shifts during heatwaves.

Keywords:

Phaeodactylum tricornutum Thalassiosira pseudonana climate change diatom disturbance heatwaves nitrogen limitation thermal threshold thermal variability tipping point

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Last Updated: Aug 6, 2025

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Published on: April 28, 2023

Area of Science:

Marine ecology
Phytoplankton dynamics
Environmental variability

Background:

Environmental variability complicates predictions of species interactions.
Non-linear responses of species to abiotic factors hinder accurate predictions.
Influence of thermal fluctuations on phytoplankton growth and competition is largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

Investigate the limits of coexistence in variable environments.
Determine the impact of temperature fluctuations on marine diatom competition.
Assess the role of nitrogen availability in modulating responses to thermal variability.

Main Methods:

Stable mixed cultures of *Phaeodactylum tricornutum* and *Thalassiosira pseudonana* were used.
Cultures were exposed to 17 different temperature fluctuation regimes.
Experiments were conducted under both high and low nitrogen conditions.

Main Results:

Phytoplankton demonstrated significant resilience to temperature variability.
Coexistence disruption occurred at high temperature fluctuation amplitudes (±8.2°C) under high nitrogen.
Nitrogen limitation lowered the disruption threshold to ±5.9°C.
Species exhibited differential recovery rates from temperature fluctuations.

Conclusions:

Environmental cycles can reduce species replacement rates below certain fluctuation thresholds.
Above these thresholds, competitive exclusion may accelerate, impacting phytoplankton communities.
Aquatic heatwaves and nitrogen availability can drive abrupt community restructuring.