Warming effect on the successional trajectory of the periphytic alga and cyanobacterial community in eutrophic condition and controlled environment

• Grant number: 23/09698-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2023
• End date: August 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Carla Ferragut
• Grantee: Letícia Sapucaia Domiciano
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesquisas Ambientais (IPA). Secretaria de Meio Ambiente, Infraestrutura e Logística (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Global warming can change the structure and dynamics of biological communities such as the algal and cyanobacterial communities in periphyton in aquatic ecosystems. In lakes and shallow reservoirs, periphyton plays a role in primary production, nutrient cycling, and food chain. Despite the important ecological role of periphyton, community responses to possible warming of lakes and reservoirs in the future are still poorly understood. This research project evaluates the winter warming effect on the colonization and succession of the periphytic algal community in eutrophic condition (current and future scenario), identifying changes in successional phases. To achieve the objective, an experiment with two treatments in triplicate was carried out in growth chambers with temperature, light, and humidity control. The abiotic water variables (temperature, alkalinity, free CO2, conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, availability of light and nutrients) were determined. The response of periphytic algal community structure to warming will be assessed through species composition, algal density, algal biomass, species richness and diversity. As a result, the responses of periphyton structural attributes to temperature increase are expected to indicate whether global warming could cause significant changes in community structure in shallow lake ecosystems.