Identifying trait thresholds for freshwater algae to understand resilience to climate change

Phytoplankton community composition is an indicator of lake ecosystem change, as shifts can occur rapidly in response to phenology and disturbance. This study investigates trait thresholds for temperature, irradiance, and pH of Pseudanabaena limnetica, isolated from Shelburne Pond. Preliminary results indicate differences in growth rates and biomass within and between treatments over the incubation period. Our results are an example of cyanobacterial trait plasticity, allowing them to adapt to highly varied conditions. These findings and ongoing work will provide insight into phytoplankton traits that will be successful under current and future climate change scenarios.