Harmful Algal Blooms in a Changing Ocean

Abstract

There is emerging evidence that climate change already may be causing shifts in the composition of coastal and offshore marine plankton and benthic communities, and there is reasonable expectation that future climate scenario’s will lead to changes in the spatial and temporal ranges of HAB species. The concern is that these changes may increase the frequency and severity of harmful algal blooms (HABs), which can be broadly categorized as toxin-produced or high- “biomass” events.