Phytoplankton shape marine ecosystems through biogeochemical cycling, by forming the base of the food web, and in some cases: producing hazardous, toxic events. It is known that absolute temperature affects the ecological role of phytoplankton such as through growth and morphology, but the role of temperature fluctuations is not well understood. In this project, we are examining phytoplankton responses to temperature change to address this major unknown.
RI NSF EPSCoR is supported in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation under EPSCoR Cooperative Agreements #OIA-2433276 and in part by the RI Commerce Corporation via the Science and Technology Advisory Committee [STAC]. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. National Science Foundation, the RI Commerce Corporation, STAC, our partners or our collaborators.