"Bigelow Scientists Discover Rare Climate Resilience in Boothbay"
Researchers from Boothbay-based Bigelow Laboratory have discovered that mixotrophic plankton, which can both photosynthesize and consume prey, are increasing in abundance in the warming Gulf of Maine. This finding suggests that these flexible feeders may be more resilient to climate change, potentially impacting nutrient cycling and the marine food web. The study, based on 60 years of data, highlights the importance of long-term environmental monitoring to understand oceanic changes.