Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
in elemental stoichiometry and food quality in response to interactive
effects of CO
2
enrichment and nutrient depletion from upper layers due to
sea-surface warming.
Final Remarks
Concerning the wide temporal- and spatial-scale effects of climate change on
marine phytoplankton, the integration of continuous monitoring programs
with empirical research in the laboratory arises as an imperious necessity
for a better interpretation of current responses and accurate projections
of future scenarios. On one hand, field studies provide information
about
in situ
environmental conditions and natural regulator factors of
phytoplankton succession. Moreover, they allow addressing the ecosystem
functioning and the underlying controlling forces that emerge from the
interaction among the atmosphere, the sea and the bottom sediments.
On the other hand, experimental research under controlled conditions
complements fi eld observations because proximal phytoplankton responses
(e.g., cell physiology and autoecology) can be straightforwardly measured.
Experimental investigation is useful to test hypotheses that come out
from observations in the natural ecosystems, with a simple interplay of
variables. The integration of both approaches -natural and experimental
simulation—together with predictive data modeling will provide new
insights of the interactive effects of abiotic and biotic forces affecting the
primary producer's ecology under different climate change scenarios.
Accordingly, emergent responses that could be masked by considering only
one type of approach can be revealed.
Coastal areas deserve particular attention as they have been recognized
as the most productive ecosystems on the Earth. These environments are
exposed to the synergic effects of climate modifi cations and antrophogenic
impacts, whose consequences provoke substantial changes on the benthic-
pelagic habitat and the associated biota. The implementation of rigorous
programs of coastal management and resource exploitation is imperative.
We must improve our ability to disentangle the phytoplankton ecological
responses and the fl uctuations in biomass in order to predict and mitigate
potential detrimental effects throughout the food webs towards ecosystem
functioning and habitat sustainability.
