Understanding and predicting harmful algal blooms in a changing climate: A trait‐based framework

Abstract The worldwide proliferation of harmful algal blooms (HABs) both in freshwater and marine ecosystems make understanding predicting their occurrence urgent. Trait‐based approaches, where the focus is on functional traits, have been successful explaining community structure dynamics diverse but not applied extensively to HABs. existing trait compilations suggest that HAB taxa differ from non key traits determine responses major environmental drivers. Multi‐trait comparisons between HAB‐forming other phytoplankton taxa, as well within groups characterize interspecific intraspecific differences will help better define ecological niches different develop trait‐based mechanistic models, identify conditions would likely lead Building databases using them statistical models increase our ability predict occurrence, composition, severity under changing conditions, including anthropogenic global change.