Making Waves: Emphasizing Integrated Research on Harmful Algal Blooms Over Single-Species Laboratory Studies

Abstract

This paper emphasizes the need for more integrated research approaches when studying harmful algal blooms (HABs). Single-species research on HAB-forming algae provides important insights but fails to account for the interactions between multiple species and their surrounding ecosystems, which is critical to understanding HAB dynamics, including HAB mitigation. To enhance our understanding of complex ecological phenomena and management of HABs, we emphasize approaches like multi-species field-based experiments, big data analysis and ecological modelling, and real-time monitoring, complemented by remote sensing that better represent actual natural environmental conditions, drivers, abiotic and biotic interactions.