We review the literature on the relationship between water temperature and size of freshwater phytoplankton, to examine the hypothesis that freshwater phytoplankton, like marine phytoplankton and many other groups of organisms, conform to Bergmann’s Rule and become smaller with warming. We provide both experimental and field evidence in support of the above hypothesis, much of this evidence was hidden in studies focused on other issues, but presenting temperature and phytoplankton size data. Freshwater phytoplankton size shrinks with increasing temperature at both the species level (by cells or colonies becoming smaller) and at the community level (shift to smaller species). Exceptions to the Rule do occur but in most cases those exceptions can be explained by indirect effects of temperature on phytoplankton size, via processes such as grazing or nutrient availability. With global warming, freshwater phytoplankton are likely to be of smaller size. This article is dedicated to Colin S. Reynolds, who has had a leading role in our personal education and understanding of phytoplankton ecology.
Zohary, T.; Flaim, G.; Sommer, U. (2020). Temperature and the size of freshwater phytoplankton. HYDROBIOLOGIA. doi: 10.1007/s10750-020-04246-6 handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10449/62928
Citation: | Zohary, T.; Flaim, G.; Sommer, U. (2020). Temperature and the size of freshwater phytoplankton. HYDROBIOLOGIA. doi: 10.1007/s10750-020-04246-6 handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10449/62928 |
Internal authors: | |
Organization unit: | Department of Sustainable Agro-ecosystems and Bioresources # CRI |
Authors: | Zohary, T.; Flaim, G.; Sommer, U. |
Title: | Temperature and the size of freshwater phytoplankton |
Journal: | HYDROBIOLOGIA |
Issue Date: | 2020 |
Scientific Disciplinary Area: | Settore BIO/07 - Ecologia |
Keywords ENG: | Cell size Colony size Intra-specific Inter-specific Seasonal |
Language: | English |
IF: | With Impact Factor ISI |
Publication status: | In press |
Nature of content: | Articolo in rivista/Article |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): | http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-020-04246-6 |
Appears in Collections: | 01 - Journal article |
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2020 Zohary et al Hydrobiologia cell size.pdf | Versione editoriale (Publisher’s layout) | Tutti i diritti riservati (All rights reserved) | Utenti riconosciuti Request a copy |