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Laboratory of Aquatic Photosynthesis & Ecophysiology of Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton, vital in aquatic ecosystems as primary producers, harness sunlight through photosynthesis to convert carbon dioxide into organic matter, releasing oxygen as a by-product. They form the foundation of aquatic food webs, supporting diverse aquatic life from zooplankton to large mammals like fish. Despite competing for sunlight and nutrients, phytoplankton species coexist due to their diverse photosynthetic adaptations and nutrient uptake strategies, which enable niche differentiation and reduce direct competition. This phenomenon challenges traditional ecological theories that predict the dominance of a single species in such competitive environments.

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The phytoplankton paradox motivates our research and sparks the following questions:

  1. How do phytoplankton species vary in distribution and abundance across different time scales and geographic locations? 

  2. What are the diverse photosynthetic adaptations phytoplankton evolved, and how do these adaptations influence their growth, productivity, and ecological success? 

  3. How do interactions between phytoplankton species influence community structure, species diversity, and ecosystem functioning in marine and freshwater environments?

Our Research Focus

The Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Kinneret, is classified as a monomictic lake due to its single annual mixing event during colder months. This unique feature significantly impacts its ecosystem and nutrient distribution, leading to annual sequential blooms of algae and cyanobacteria. This recurring pattern allows us to study the amplitude and duration of each species' bloom as environmental conditions evolve over time. For instance, over the past 30 years, there has been an increase in the lake's temperature. This distinct scenario prompts ecological inquiries, facilitates controlled experiments in laboratory settings, and guides broader investigations in the lake itself, aiming to uncover answers to increasingly complex ecological questions.

News

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I’m excited to share that I just gave a talk at the 2024 IAAS-IOLR Aquatic Sciences Conference, taking place in Eilat today and tomorrow. This incredible event spans three venues—the Ben Gurion University campus, the Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences, and the National Center for Mariculture—showcasing cutting-edge research in marine and aquatic sciences. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with researchers and foster new collaborations.

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A fruitful collaboration between my former research group at MIGAL Galilee Research Institute and the Faculty of Agriculture in Rehovot yielded an exciting new paper on the integration of remote sensing of photosynthesis into a high throughput functional phenotyping platform. Congratulations Amir and Snir for this exciting topic !

Starting October, 2024 I will become one of the two official representatives of the state of Israel to the EU COST action: "Effective Lake management: reducing cyanobacteria by actions in the catchment (CYANOACTION)".

I am looking forward to connect and collaborate with fellow scholars on such a pertinent topic - developing Decision Support System (DSS) to manage harmful cyanobacteria bloom in fresh water reservoirs.

Contact

Contact
Information

Yigal Alon Limnology Laboratory

P.O.Box 447
Migdal 14950, Israel

+972-52-5544252

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