Spring phytoplankton phenology - are patterns and drivers of change consistent among lakes in the same climatological region?

Contrary to expectations, temperature did not consistently affect phytoplankton phenology in the English Lake District. While Asterionella formosa and Aulacoseira spp. showed advanced spring bloom timing in response to warmer conditions, Cryptomonas spp. exhibited delayed peaks. Instead, soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) concentrations emerged as a more consistent driver, influencing all taxa across nearly all lakes. This study analyzed 58 years of data from four lakes using two methods—centre of gravity and Weibull-type function—to quantify spring bloom timing, revealing locally variable drivers play a significant role in phytoplankton phenology despite regional climatic similarities.

FEUCHTMAYR, H., THACKERAY, S. J., JONES, I. D., DE VILLE, M., FLETCHER, J., JAMES, B., & KELLY, J. (2011). Spring phytoplankton phenology - are patterns and drivers of change consistent among lakes in the same climatological region? Freshwater Biology, 57(2), 331–344. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2427.2011.02671.x