Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
https://actalb.org/article/doi/10.1590/S2179-975X7220
Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
Original Article

The global scientific literature on applications and trends in the use of functional morphological groups in phytoplankton studies

Literatura científica global sobre aplicações e tendências no uso de grupos morfológicos funcionais em estudos do fitoplâncton

Ricardina Maria Lemos Trindade; Anny Kelly Nascimento Ribeiro; João Carlos Nabout; Jascieli Carla Bortolini

Downloads: 1
Views: 778

Abstract

Abstract:: Aim: The application of deconstructive approaches in aquatic ecology has been increasing recently. Especially for phytoplankton, some functional classifications summarize similar traits of a group of species to understand organisms’ response to landscape variability. One of these approaches deals with phytoplankton functional classification based on morphology (MBFG - Morphologically Based Functional Groups). Focusing on this approach, we systematic mapping the scientific literature to reveal this functional framework´s applications for freshwater phytoplankton.

Methods: For this study, we selected from the Thomson ISI Web of Science database all articles published between 2010 and 2018 dealing with MBFG. We recorded 179 manuscripts citing the phytoplankton functional classification based on morphology and, among them, we excluded three due to lack of access to information.

Results: A clear temporal trend occurred with an increase in citations involving the morphological approach, with Brazil, Uruguay, and China as the countries with the highest number of studies. Of the total records, 60 manuscripts applied morphological classification in their studies, of which 23 manuscripts comprised comparative studies with other functional approaches. Most applications were for phytoplankton in lakes, with biomass being the most used metric for framing taxa in MBFG. The most often recorded groups are MBFG IV (medium-sized organisms without specialization), VII (large mucilaginous colonies), and III (large filamentous organisms with aerotopes).

Conclusion: This study showed an increasing trend in the number of studies that used the functional approach based on MBFG. We believe that deconstructive approaches, such as MBFG, help assess issues of interest in phytoplankton ecology.

Keywords

planktonic algae, functional morphology, morphological traits, systematic literature mapping

Resumo

Resumo:: Objetivo: A aplicação de abordagens desconstrutivas em ecologia aquática tem aumentado recentemente. Em especial para o fitoplâncton, algumas classificações funcionais vêm sendo utilizadas, como tentativa de sumarizar traços similares de um grupo de espécies para melhor compreender as respostas dos organismos à variabilidade da paisagem. Uma destas abordagens é a classificação funcional do fitoplâncton baseada na morfologia (MBFG - Morphologically Based Functional Groups). Focando nesta abordagem, nós mapeamos sistematicamente a literatura científica para revelar as aplicações e tendências deste enquadramento funcional para o fitoplâncton de ecossistemas aquáticos continentais.

Métodos: Para tanto, nós selecionamos a partir da base de dados Thomson ISI Web Of Science todos os artigos publicados entre 2010 e 2018 que tratam de MBFG. Um total de 179 manuscritos que citaram a classificação funcional do fitoplâncton baseada na morfologia foram registrados, dos quais três foram excluídos por falta de acesso às informações.

Resultados: Foi observada uma clara tendência temporal no aumento no número de citações envolvendo a abordagem morfológica, sendo Brasil, Uruguai e China os países com os maiores números de estudos. Do total de registros, 60 manuscritos aplicaram a classificação morfológica em seus estudos e 23 destes compreendem estudos comparativos com outras abordagens funcionais. Nós detectamos que a maior parte das aplicações foram realizadas para o fitoplâncton de lagos, sendo biomassa a métrica mais utilizada para o enquadramento dos táxons em MBFG. MBFG IV (organismos de tamanho médio sem especialização), VII (grandes colônias mucilaginosas) e III (grandes organismos filamentosos com aerótopos) foram os grupos mais frequentemente registrados.

Conclusões: Este estudo mostrou tendência crescente no número de estudos que utilizaram a abordagem funcional baseada na morfologia (MBFG). Acreditamos que abordagens desconstrutivas, como MBFG, são uma ferramenta útil para avaliar questões de interesse na ecologia do fitoplâncton.
 

Palavras-chave

algas planctônicas, morfologia funcional, traços morfológicos, mapeamento sistemático da literatura

References

AMORIM, C.A., VALENÇA, C.R., DE MOURA-FALCÃO, R.H. and DO NASCIMENTO MOURA, A. Seasonal variations of morpho-functional phytoplankton groups influence the top-down control of a cladoceran in a tropical hypereutrophic lake. Aquatic Ecology, 2019, 53(3), 453-464. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10452-019-09701-8.

ARIA, M. and CUCCURULLO, C. Bibliometrix: an R-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis. Journal of Informetrics, 2017, 11(4), 959-975. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.joi.2017.08.007.

BINZER, A., GUILL, C., RALL, B.C. and BROSE, U. Interactive effects of warming, eutrophication and size structure: impacts on biodiversity and food-web structure. Global Change Biology, 2016, 22(1), 220-227. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/gcb.13086. PMid:26365694.

BORTOLINI, J.C. and BUENO, N.C. Temporal dynamics of phytoplankton using the morphology-based functional approach in a subtropical river. Brazilian Journal of Botany, 2017, 40(3), 741-748. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40415-017-0385-0.

BORTOLINI, J.C., DA SILVA, P.R.L., BAUMGARTNER, G. and BUENO, N.C. Response to environmental, spatial, and temporal mechanisms of the phytoplankton metacommunity: comparing ecological approaches in subtropical reservoirs. Hydrobiologia, 2019, 830(1), 45-61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-018-3849-8.

BORTOLINI, J.C., RODRIGUES, L.C., JATI, S. and TRAIN, S. Phytoplankton functional and morphological groups as indicators of environmental variability in a lateral channel of the Upper Paraná a River floodplain. Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia, 2014, 26(1), 98-108. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S2179-975X2014000100011.

BORTOLINI, J.C., MORESCO, G.A., PAULA, A.C.M., JATI, S. and RODRIGUES, L.C. Functional approach based on morphology as a model of phytoplankton variability in a subtropical floodplain lake: a long-term study. Hydrobiologia, 2016, 767, 151-163. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-015-2490-z.

BRASIL, J. and HUSZAR, V.L.M. O papel dos traços funcionais na ecologia do fitoplâncton continental. Oecologia Australis, 2011, 15(4), 799-834. http://dx.doi.org/10.4257/oeco.2011.1504.04.

CARNEIRO, F.M., NABOUT, J.C. and BINI, L.M. Trends in the scientific literature on phytoplankton. Limnology, 2008, 9(2), 153-158. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10201-008-0242-8.

CHEN, N., LIU, L., LI, Y., QIAO, D., LI, Y., ZHANG, Y. and LV, Y. Morphology-based classification of functional groups for potamoplankton. Journal of Limnology, 2015, 74(AoP), 559-571. http://dx.doi.org/10.4081/jlimnol.2015.1173.

CUPERTINO, A., GÜCKER, B., VON RÜCKERT, G. and FIGUEREDO, C.C. Phytoplankton assemblage composition as an environmental indicator in routine lentic monitoring: Taxonomic versus functional groups. Ecological Indicators, 2019, 101, 522-532. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.01.054.

DOWNING, J.A., PRAIRIE, Y.T., COLE, J.J., DUARTE, C.M., TRANVIK, L.J., STRIEGL, R.G., MCDOWELL, W.H., KORTELAINEN, P., CARACO, N.F., MELACK, J.M. and MIDDELBURG, J.J. The global abundance and size distribution of lakes, ponds, and impoundments. Limnology and Oceanography, 2006, 51(5), 2388-2397. http://dx.doi.org/10.4319/lo.2006.51.5.2388.

FRAISSE, S., BORMANS, M. and LAGADEUC, Y. Morphofunctional traits reflect differences in phytoplankton community between rivers of contrasting flow regime. Aquatic Ecology, 2013, 47(3), 315-327. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10452-013-9446-z.

HU, R., HAN, B. and NASELLI-FLORES, L. Comparing biological classifications of freshwater phytoplankton: a case study from South China. Hydrobiologia, 2013, 701(1), 219-233. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-012-1277-8.

HUSZAR, V.L.M., NABOUT, J.C., APPEL, M.O., SANTOS, J.B.O., ABE, D.S. and SILVA, L.H. Environmental and not spatial processes (directional and non-directional) shape the phytoplankton composition and functional groups in a large subtropical river basin. Journal of Plankton Research, 2015, 37, 1190-1200. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/plankt/fbv084.

ISBELL, F., COWLES, J., DEE, L.E., LOREAU, D., REICH, P.B., GONZALEZ, A., HECTOR, A. and SCHMID, B. Quantifying effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning across times and places. Ecology Letters, 2018, 21(6), 763-778. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ele.12928. PMid:29493062.

IZAGUIRRE, I., ALLENDE, L., ESCARAY, R., BUSTINGORRY, J., PEREZ, G. and TELL, G. Comparison of morpho-functional phytoplankton classifications in human-impacted shallow lakes with different stable states. Hydrobiologia, 2012, 698(1), 203-216. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-012-1069-1.

KAMENIR, Y., DUBINSKY, Z. and ZOHARY, T. Phytoplankton size structure stability in a meso-eutrophic subtropical lake. Hydrobiologia, 2004, 520(1-3), 89-104. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/B:HYDR.0000027729.53348.c7.

KAMENIR, Y., DUBINSKY, Z. and ZOHARY, T. The long-term patterns of phytoplankton taxonomic size-structure and their sensitivity to perturbation: a Lake Kinneret case study. Aquatic Sciences, 2006, 68(4), 490-501. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00027-006-0864-z.

KRUK, C. and SEGURA, A.M. The habitat template of phytoplankton morphology-based functional groups. Hydrobiologia, 2012, 698(1), 191-202. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-012-1072-6.

KRUK, C., DEVERCELLI, M. and HUSZAR, V.L. Reynolds Functional Groups: a trait-based pathway from patterns to predictions. Hydrobiologia, 2020, 848(1), 113-129. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-020-04340-9.

KRUK, C., HUSZAR, V.L.M., PEETERS, E.T.H.M., BONILLA, S., COSTA, L., LÜRLING, M., REYNOLDS, C. and SCHEFFER, M. A morphological classification capturing functional variation in phytoplankton. Freshwater Biology, 2010, 55(3), 614-627. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2427.2009.02298.x.

LITCHMAN, E. and KLAUSMEIER, C.A. Trait-based community ecology of phytoplankton. Annual Review of Ecology Evolution and Systematics, 2008, 39(1), 615-639. http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.39.110707.173549.

LITCHMAN, E., DE TEZANOS PINTO, P., EDWARDS, K.F., KLAUSMEIER, C.A., KREMER, C.T. and THOMAS, M.K. Global biogeochemical impacts of phytoplankton: a trait-based perspective. Journal of Ecology, 2015, 103(6), 1384-1396. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.12438.

LITCHMAN, E., EDWARDS, K.F., KLAUSMEIER, C.A. and THOMAS, M.K. Phytoplankton niches, traits and eco-evolutionary responses to global environmental change. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 2012, 470, 235-248. http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps09912.

LOBO, M.T.M.P.S., DE SOUZA NOGUEIRA, I., FABRIS SGARBI, L., NUNES KRAUS, C., DE OLIVEIRA BOMFIM, E., GARNIER, J., DA MOTTA MARQUES, D. and BONNET, M.-P. Morphology-based functional groups as the best tool to characterize shallow lake-dwelling phytoplankton on an Amazonian floodplain. Ecological Indicators, 2018, 95, 579-588. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2018.07.038.

MACHADO, K.B., BORGES, P.P., CARNEIRO, F.M., DE SANTANA, J.F., VIEIRA, L.C.G., DE MORAES HUSZAR, V.L. and NABOUT, J.C. Using lower taxonomic resolution and ecological approaches as a surrogate for plankton species. Hydrobiologia, 2015, 743(1), 255-267. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-014-2042-y.

MACHADO, K.B., TERESA, F.B., VIEIRA, L.C.G., HUSZAR, V.L.M. and NABOUT, J.C. Comparing the effects of landscape and local environmental variables on taxonomic and functional composition of phytoplankton communities. Journal of Plankton Research, 2016, 38(5), 1334-1346. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/plankt/fbw062.

MAGALHÃES, L., RANGEL, L.M., ROCHA, A.M., CARDOSO, S.J. and SILVA, L.H.S. Responses of morphology-based phytoplankton functional groups to spatial variation in two tropical reservoirs with long water-residence time. Inland Waters, 2020, 11(1), 29-43. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20442041.2020.1745007.

MARGALEF, R. Life-forms of phytoplankton as survival alternatives in an unstable environment. Oceanologica Acta, 1978, 1, 493-509.

MIHALJEVIĆ, M., ŠPOLJARIĆ, D., STEVIĆ, F., ŽUNA, T. and PFEIFFER, T. Assessment of flood-induced changes of phytoplankton along a river-floodplain system using the morpho-functional approach. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2013, 185(10), 8601-8619. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10661-013-3198-z. PMid:23604727.

MIHALJEVIĆ, M., ŠPOLJARIĆ, D., STEVIĆ, F. and ŽUNA PFEIFFER, T. Spatial pattern of phytoplankton based on the morphology-based functional approach along a river–floodplain gradient. River Research and Applications, 2015, 31(2), 228-238. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/rra.2739.

NABOUT, J.C., CARNEIRO, F.M., BORGES, P.P., MACHADO, K.B. and HUSZAR, V.L.M. Brazilian scientific production on phytoplankton studies: national determinants and international comparisons. Brazilian Journal of Biology = Revista Brasileira de Biologia, 2015, 75(1), 216-223. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.11713. PMid:25945640.

NASELLI-FLORES, L., PADISÁK, J. and ALBAY, M. Shape and size in phytoplankton ecology: do they matter? Hydrobiologia, 2007, 578(1), 157-161. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-006-2815-z.

PADISÁK, J., CROSSETTI, L.O. and NASELLI-FLORES, L. Use and misuse in the application of the phytoplankton functional classification: a critical review with updates. Hydrobiologia, 2009, 621(1), 1-19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-008-9645-0.

PETAR, Ž., MARIJA, G.U., KORALJKA, K.B., ANĐELKA, P.-M. and JUDIT, P. Morpho-functional classifications of phytoplankton assemblages of two deep karstic lakes. Hydrobiologia, 2014, 740(1), 147-166. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-014-1950-1.

PHILIPPART, C.J.M., CADÉE, G.C., VAN RAAPHORST, W. and RIEGMAN, R. Long-term phytoplankton–nutrient interactions in a shallow coastal sea: Algalcommunity structure, nutrient budgets, and denitrification potential. Limnology and Oceanography, 2000, 45(1), 131-144.

PLATT, T. and DENMAN, K. The structure of pelagic ecosystem. Rapports et Proces-Verbaux des Reunions, 1978, 173, 60-65.

PULLIN, A.S. and STEWART, G.B. Guidelines for systematic review in conservation and environmental management. Conservation Biology, 2006, 20(6), 1647-1656. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2006.00485.x. PMid:17181800.

R DEVELOPMENT CORE TEAM. R: A language and environment for statistical computing [online]. Vienna: R Foundation for Statistical Computing, 2018 [viewed 18 July 2021]. Available from: http://www.R-project.org/

RANGEL, L.M., SOARES, M.C.S., PAIVA, R. and SILVA, L.H.S. Morphology-based functional groups as effective indicators of phytoplankton dynamics in a tropical cyanobacteria-dominated transitional river–reservoir system. Ecological Indicators, 2016, 64, 217-227. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2015.12.041.

REYNOLDS, C.S. Functional morphology and the adaptive strategies of freshwater phytoplankton. In: Sandgren, C.D., ed. Growth and reproductive strategies of freshwater phytoplankton. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1988, pp. 388-433.

REYNOLDS, C.S., HUSZAR, V., KRUK, C., NASELLI-FLORES, L. and MELO, S. Towards a functional classification of the freshwater phytoplankton. Journal of Plankton Research, 2002, 24(5), 417-428. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/plankt/24.5.417.

RYABOV, A., KERIMOGLU, O., LITCHMAN, E., OLENINA, I., ROSELLI, L., BASSET, A., STANCA, E. and BLASIUS, B.. Shape matters: the relationship between cell geometry and diversity in phytoplankton. Ecology Letters, 2021, 24(4), 847-861. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ele.13680. PMid:33471443.

SALMASO, N. and PADISÁK, J. Morpho-Functional Groups and phytoplankton development in two deep lakes (Lake Garda, Italy and Lake Stechlin, Germany). Hydrobiologia, 2007, 578(1), 97-112. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-006-0437-0.

SALMASO, N., NASELLI-FLORES, L. and PADISÁK, J. Functional classifications and their application in phytoplankton ecology. Freshwater Biology, 2015, 60(4), 603-619. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/fwb.12520.

SANTANA, L.M., NABOUT, J.C. and FERRAGUT, C. Taxonomic and functional classifications of phytoplankton in tropical reservoirs with different trophic states. Brazilian Journal of Botany, 2018, 41(1), 91-102. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40415-017-0428-6.

SEGURA, A.M., KRUK, C., CALLIARI, D. and FORT, H. Use of a morphology-based functional approach to model phytoplankton community succession in a shallow subtropical lake. Freshwater Biology, 2013, 58(3), 504-512. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2427.2012.02867.x.

STANCA, E., CELLAMARE, M. and BASSET, A. Geometric shape as a trait to study phytoplankton distributions in aquatic ecosystems. Hydrobiologia, 2013, 701(1), 99-116. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-012-1262-2.

TUNDISI, J.G. Reservoirs: new challenges for ecosystem studies and environmental Management. Water Security, 2018, 4-5, 1-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wasec.2018.09.001.

WANG, C., LIU, Y., LI, X., LAI, Z., TACKX, M. and LEK, S. A bibliometric analysis of scientific trends in phytoplankton research. International Journal of Limnology, 2015, 51(3), 249-259. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/limn/2015019.
 


Submitted date:
07/14/2020

Accepted date:
05/12/2021

Publication date:
07/13/2021

60eda0a5a95395382b503722 alb Articles
Links & Downloads

Acta Limnol. Bras. (Online)

Share this page
Page Sections