Beschrijving
Trait-based approaches can provide a mechanistic understanding of species’ responses to global change, such as climate change and shifts in resource availabilities. Here, we applied a functional trait approach at the cellular level using high-throughput flow cytometry to better understand the mechanisms underlying cyanobacteria populations and communities’ dynamics along environmental gradients. First, we assessed trait plasticity of controlled laboratory cultures of the cyanobacteria Microcystis spp. placed under light, nitrogen, and phosphorus limitation and elevated CO2 levels. Then, we scaled up to trait variation across populations and communities in natural samples. Univariate analysis showed that the cellular levels of nitrogen-rich traits (light energy catchers: chlorophyll-a, phycocyanin, and potentially buoyancy regulator-gas vesicles) decrease under nitrogen limitation and increase under light and phosphorus limitation compared to control conditions. The multivariate response revealed a low overlap in the functional space between the control and both light and nitrogen limitation. This suggests that light and nitrogen limitation act as resource reallocation filters, promoting the occupation of a new functional space while reducing the size of this new space. Using the direction of trait-responses in this functional space as fingerprint, we explore how resource availability impact cyanobacteria across cells and populations within natural communities. Overall, this study reveals a general trait pattern that can be used to assess the ecological status of lakes.| Periode | 07 jun. 2024 |
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| Mate van erkenning | Internationaal |