Effects of Temperature on Phytoplankton Growth

Presently, efforts are being made to develop predictive mathematical models for water quality and food chains in lakes, rivers, and estuaries. Temperature is an important physical factor influencing the growth of planktonic plants. The effects of temperature on growth have not been investigated systematically for freshwater algae. This note reports the results of a literature review whose purpose was to define the effect of temperature on the growth of different phytoplankton groups. All surveyed data are listed in tabular form. A graphical interpretation of these data is presented that separates the effects into four phytoplankton taxa. This literature review provides a comprehensive data base which can be used to quantify phytoplanktonic growth responses to temperature. Quantification of these effects is essential for the construction of a multigroup phytoplankton model.