Dataset for: The unexpected absence of nickel effects on a Daphnia population at three temperatures is correctly predicted by a dynamic energy budget individual-based model (DEB-IBM)

Recent studies have shown that temperature affects chronic Ni toxicity to <i>Daphnia magna</i> at the individual (apical) level. However, the effect of temperature on Ni toxicity to <i>D. magna</i> at population-level is unknown. The present study investigated whether the effect of temperature on chronic Ni toxicity to <i>D. magna</i> assessed on apical endpoints can be extrapolated to the population-level. The results of the performed population experiment showed no consistent Ni effects on total <i>D. magna</i> population abundance at 15, 20 and 25ºC although the Ni concentrations tested were previously reported to significantly reduce reproduction in <i>D. magna</i> individuals. This result supports the idea that ecological risk assessment should not extrapolate as such from apical endpoints to the population-level. A Dynamic Energy Budget Individual-Based Model (DEB-IBM) was calibrated using apical Ni toxicity data at 15, 20 and 25°C. The goal was to investigate whether the calibrated DEB-IBM would be able to predict the unexpected absence of effects at population-level and to further investigate the effect of temperature on Ni toxicity to a <i>D. magna</i> population. At the population level, the calibrated DEB-IBM correctly predicted the unexpected absence of Ni effect to a <i>D. magna</i> population. Extrapolated EC50 values for population density predicted that the effect of temperature on Ni toxicity to <i>D. magna</i> populations was smaller (1.9-fold higher at 25°C than at 15°C) than on Ni toxicity to <i>D. magna</i> apical reproduction (the EC50 is 6.5-fold higher at 25°C than at 15°C, previous study). These results show that the DEB-IBM can help to replace population experiments by <i>in silico</i> simulations and to optimize the experimental design of population studies.