Impact of Environmental Drivers on Phytoplankton Bloom Dynamics in the Southern North Sea: A Multi-Year Analysis Using Remote Sensing and DNA Metabarcoding

Phytoplankton play a pivotal role in marine ecosystems, contributing to global photosynthetic activity and supporting marine food webs. Recent shifts in phytoplankton bloom phenology, particularly in temperate regions like the Southern North Sea, have raised concerns about their potential impacts on marine ecosystems and climate systems. This study investigates the environmental drivers influencing these shifts, focusing on temperature, light, nutrient dynamics, and salinity. Utilizing high-resolution remote sensing data and DNA metabarcoding, we analyzed phytoplankton community structure and temporal patterns over multiple years. Our findings reveal that changes in nutrient availability and salinity, in addition to temperature and light variations, significantly influence bloom dynamics. This research advances our understanding of the complex interactions between environmental factors and phytoplankton communities, providing critical insights into climate-driven changes in marine ecosystems. The results have broader implications for predicting future shifts in primary production and their effects on marine food webs and biogeochemical cycles.