An introduction to the 'micronet' of cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs): cyanobacteria, zooplankton and microorganisms: a review

Abstract

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms are known all around the world. Climate change (temperature increase) and human activity (eutrophication) are factors that promote the proliferation of cyanobacteria, leading to the development of blooms and the release of toxins. Abiotic and biotic factors are responsible for the development of blooms and how long they last. Although the abiotic factors controlling blooms are well known, knowledge of biotic factors and their interactions is still lacking. This paper reviews five levels of biotic interactions, namely cyanobacteria–zooplankton, cyanobacteria–ciliates, cyanobacteria–bacteria, cyanobacteria–viruses and cyanobacteria–fungi, showing a more complex food web network than was previously thought. New findings published recently, such as the relationships between cyanobacteria and viruses or cyanobacteria and fungi, indicate that cyanobacterial blooms are not the end of the cycle of events taking place in water habitats, but rather the middle of them. As such, a new approach needs to consider mutual connections, genetic response, horizontal gene transfer and non-linear flow of carbon.