Steeper size spectra with decreasing phytoplankton biomass indicate strong trophic amplification and future fish declines.

ABSTRACT: Under climate change, model ensembles suggest that declines in phytoplankton biomass amplify into greater reductions at higher trophic levels, with serious implications for fisheries and carbon storage. However, the extent and mechanisms of this trophic amplification vary greatly among models, and validation is problematic. In situ size spectra offer a novel alternative, comparing biomass of small and larger organisms to quantify the net efficiency of energy transfer through natural food webs that are already challenged with multiple climate change stressors. Our global compilation of pelagic size spectrum slopes supports trophic amplification empirically, independently from model simulations. Thus, even a modest (16%) decline in phytoplankton this century would magnify into a 38% decline

SUBMITTER: Atkinson A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10776571 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature