The CLLMM Research Centre’s Climate Adaptation project has been extended, with a new project launched to help predict how Coorong habitats and phytoplankton communities will respond to climate change. Phytoplankton are microscopic, free-floating aquatic organisms that absorb sunlight and carbon dioxide to produce oxygen. Although tiny, they are a key part of the Coorong’s food web, as pipis, mussels, insects and small fish all eat phytoplankton.
Project title: Predicting future Coorong habitats and phytoplankton communities under climate change
Project team: Dr. Daniel Chilton (Flinders University) Prof. Sophie Leterme (Flinders University) Prof. Sergiy Shelyag (Flinders University) Prof. Justin Brookes (Adelaide University) Prof. Matt Hipsey (University of Western Australia)
What they found: The team originally sampled phytoplankton across the Coorong, in freshwater to salty habitats, to see what species (and how many) lived in which environment. They then combined their results with 16 years of historical data to get an idea of who liked to live where, and what environmental factors most influenced them.
The team found that salinity and water levels had the most influence on phytoplankton abundance, diversity and community structure. Freshwater and low-brackish, or mildly salty, habitats had the most species, but these communities were dominated by cyanobacteria (including blue-green algae) and chlorophytes (green algae). Extremely salty habitats had fewer species, but they were present in more even numbers.
What’s the next challenge: Now they want to use new climate scenario modelling developed by the University of Western Australia to predict how different habitats (from salty to fresh) may change across the Coorong. They’ll then be able to use their findings from their previous research to forecast changes in phytoplankton communities, including the risk of harmful algal species.
What impact will this have: The team’s research will give us valuable information on how we can better manage and conserve phytoplankton communities. It will also help us understand how harmful algal species will respond in different climate scenarios.
As part of the project, the team will develop habitat maps of the region. These will also help us understand how other species like seagrass, fish and invertebrates might respond to future climate scenarios.