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Nitrogen limitation inhibits marine diatom adaptation to high temperatures
Author(s) -
ArangurenGassis María,
Kremer Colin T.,
Klausmeier Christopher A.,
Litchman Elena
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
ecology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.852
H-Index - 265
eISSN - 1461-0248
pISSN - 1461-023X
DOI - 10.1111/ele.13378
Subject(s) - phytoplankton , diatom , adaptation (eye) , extinction (optical mineralogy) , climate change , ecosystem , limiting , environmental science , population , global warming , marine ecosystem , ecology , effects of global warming on oceans , biodiversity , biology , oceanography , nutrient , geology , mechanical engineering , paleontology , demography , neuroscience , sociology , engineering
Ongoing climate change is shifting species distributions and increasing extinction risks globally. It is generally thought that large population sizes and short generation times of marine phytoplankton may allow them to adapt rapidly to global change, including warming, thus limiting losses of biodiversity and ecosystem function. Here, we show that a marine diatom survives high, previously lethal, temperatures after adapting to above‐optimal temperatures under nitrogen (N)‐replete conditions. N limitation, however, precludes thermal adaptation, leaving the diatom vulnerable to high temperatures. A trade‐off between high‐temperature tolerance and increased N requirements may explain why N limitation inhibited adaptation. Because oceanic N limitation is common and likely to intensify in the future, the assumption that phytoplankton will readily adapt to rising temperatures may need to be reevaluated.