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Research Gaps Identified to Improve Future Harmful Algal Bloom Forecasts

After a 2013 workshop at the University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Laboratories,NCCOS-sponsored researchers published a studyin Harmful Algae addressingthe current knowledge of climate change and how it could impactenvironmental conditions that favor harmful algal bloom (HAB) formation.

Credit NOAA NWFSC Marine Microbes and Toxins Program
Credit: NOAA

The workshop gathered a diverse group of HABresearchers whosummarized the state of knowledge and information gaps of the potential linkages between climate change and harmful algal blooms, identifiedresearch needs withthe greatest promise for knowledge advancement and impact, and determinedways that regional and national ocean observing programs could helpunderstand these potential linkages.

Friday Harbor, Fernald Lab. Credit and Copyright Kenneth P. Sebens, Friday Harbor Labs, Washington
Friday Harbor, Fernald Lab. Credit: Kenneth P. Sebens, Friday Harbor Labs, Washington

The researchers concludedthat current research strategies do not adequately address the basic linkages between temperature change, stratification, light, ocean acidification, precipitation-induced nutrient inputs, and grazing. The lack of uniform experimental protocols limited interdisciplinary and comparative investigations. The group recommendeda HAB’best practices’ manual to address those issues.

For more information, contact Quay.Dortch@noaa.gov.