Methodological design to study the effects of heatwaves on natural plankton communities from Mediterranean vulnerable ecosystems

The Mediterranean Region is considered one of the areas most exposed to climate warming, with artificial lakes and coastal lagoons representing particularly vulnerable ecosystems, that provide essential goods and services. Amongst the extreme events linked to warming, heatwaves are of growing concern, yet their ecological effects on the functioning of Mediterranean aquatic systems remain poorly investigated. We present a methodological framework designed by the Project “a warmer Future world: effects on plankton commUnities and paThogens in Mediterranean vUlneRable Ecosystems (FUTURE)“ to study how natural plankton communities respond to abrupt and sustained thermal stress.Amongst the extreme events linked to warming, heatwaves are of growing concern, yet their ecological effects on the functioning of Mediterranean aquatic systems remain poorly investigated. We present a methodological framework designed by the Project “a warmer Future world: effects on plankton commUnities and paThogens in Mediterranean vUlneRable Ecosystems (FUTURE)“ to study how natural plankton communities respond to abrupt and sustained thermal stress.