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Long-term climate warming and extreme cold events driving ecological shifts in a deep oligo-mesotrophic lake
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  • Kexin Zhu,
  • Rong Wang,
  • Hengshuai Qiu,
  • Zhao Yu,
  • Peng Xing,
  • Jianan Zheng,
  • Yanjie Zhao,
  • Wenxiu Zheng,
  • Xiangdong Yang
Kexin Zhu
Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Rong Wang
Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology Chinese Academy of Sciences

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Hengshuai Qiu
Anhui Agricultural University
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Zhao Yu
Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Peng Xing
Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Jianan Zheng
Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Yanjie Zhao
Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Wenxiu Zheng
Hubei Normal University
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Xiangdong Yang
Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Abstract

Deep lakes are critical for freshwater storage, although they are struggling against major ecological issues from climate change and nutrient pollution. A comprehensive understanding of internal feedback mechanisms would be helpful for nutrient regulation within such lakes. A five-year consecutive study of the diatom community and its abiotic environment was conducted in Lake Fuxian, which is the largest deep freshwater lake in China and is currently heading toward a eutrophic state. The results indicate a shift in the diatom community from a stable state dominated by a single species to a rapid seasonal fluctuation, along with a significant increase in diatom biomass. Specifically, stable stratification and low nutrient concentrations are limiting the growth of diatom biomass and maintaining the dominance of Cyclotella. Nutrients in the hypolimnion were replenished in the epilimnion during the extreme cold of winter, triggering a shift in the diatom community. This shift may imply that future climate change will exacerbate the positive feedback of hypoxia-nutrient release of algal blooms, potentially triggering a regime shift in the ecosystem of the entire lake. This study underscores the fact that climate change alters the internal feedback mechanisms of deep lakes and reduces the stability of their ecosystems, and provides a scientific basis for further clarification of protection measures for deep lakes.
19 Mar 2024Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
22 Mar 2024Submission Checks Completed
22 Mar 2024Assigned to Editor
17 Jun 20241st Revision Received
18 Jun 2024Assigned to Editor
18 Jun 2024Submission Checks Completed
18 Jun 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
10 Jul 2024Editorial Decision: Accept