Future phytoplankton diversity in a changing climate
Autor: | Stephanie Dutkiewicz, Stephanie A. Henson, Stephanie R. Allen, B. B. Cael |
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Rok vydání: | 2021 |
Předmět: |
010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences
Science Climate Change Oceans and Seas General Physics and Astronomy Climate change Models Biological 01 natural sciences General Biochemistry Genetics and Molecular Biology 03 medical and health sciences Ecological resilience Phytoplankton Ecosystem Marine ecosystem 14. Life underwater 030304 developmental biology 0105 earth and related environmental sciences Marine biology 0303 health sciences Multidisciplinary Ecology Community structure Biodiversity General Chemistry Plankton 13. Climate action Environmental science Forecasting |
Zdroj: | Nature Communications Nature Communications, Vol 12, Iss 1, Pp 1-8 (2021) |
ISSN: | 2041-1723 |
Popis: | The future response of marine ecosystem diversity to continued anthropogenic forcing is poorly constrained. Phytoplankton are a diverse set of organisms that form the base of the marine ecosystem. Currently, ocean biogeochemistry and ecosystem models used for climate change projections typically include only 2−3 phytoplankton types and are, therefore, too simple to adequately assess the potential for changes in plankton community structure. Here, we analyse a complex ecosystem model with 35 phytoplankton types to evaluate the changes in phytoplankton community composition, turnover and size structure over the 21st century. We find that the rate of turnover in the phytoplankton community becomes faster during this century, that is, the community structure becomes increasingly unstable in response to climate change. Combined with alterations to phytoplankton diversity, our results imply a loss of ecological resilience with likely knock-on effects on the productivity and functioning of the marine environment. Phytoplankton form the base of the marine ecosystem but current ocean models used for climate change projections are too simple to assess potential changes in plankton community structure. This study analyses a complex ecosystem model with 35 phytoplankton types to evaluate the changes in phytoplankton community composition, turnover and size structure over the 21st century. |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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