Resolving Phytoplankton Diversity, Growth and Mortality in an Eastern Boundary Upwelling System

Abstract:

Eastern Boundary Upwelling Systems are highly productive marine regions. Primary production in these systems is performed by a complex array of phytoplankton, many of which are in the picophytoplankton size class (≤2 µM diameter). Because morphological features in these small cells are limited and difficult to visualize, our understanding of their distributions and activities is poor. Even at broad levels, such as cyanobacteria versus picoeukaryotes, contributions to primary production are not well resolved. However, laboratory experiments show that the biology of species within each of these groups is highly differentiated. Hence, to develop predictive understanding of primary production in these regions, its transfer to higher trophic levels and key export terms, it is necessary to understand which taxa are present and their in situ activities. Here, we report results from multi-year expeditions along a transect (Line 67) that extends from Monterey Bay, California (USA) to the North Pacific Gyre and is also part of the California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI). We explore the diversity of phytoplankton in the coastal zone, the upwelling-transition zone and subtropical gyre-like waters to gain insights into controls acting on primary producers in each. Our Line 67 results on primary producer dynamics are underlain by a comprehensive suite of genomic, metagenomic, metatranscriptomic and molecular analyses. Statistical approaches have helped us to define temperature maxima, nutrient thresholds and important remineralization processes that influence dominance by specific eukaryotic algae. First-ever species-specific growth and grazing mortality rates provide an unprecedented view of contributions to biomass production and its consumption by higher trophic levels. Finally, by investigating the entire microbial community including heterotrophic taxa, we are able to establish baselines for community interactions that are affiliated with productivity in this Eastern Boundary System. Collaborative efforts with the modeling and remote sensing communities should extend the results and methodologies developed here to improve understanding of primary producer communities in present and future climates scenarios and estimates from satellite measurements.