Assessing the Influence of Climate Change and Its Relationship on Mass Culture of Live Feed (Microalgae) in Outdoor System Conditions

Abstract

Climate change poses significant challenges to the cultivation of live feeds, crucial for the aquaculture industry. This study aims to explore the impact of climate change on the growth performance of microalgae used as live feed for marine aquatic animals, focusing on key challenges and potential solutions. Data from cultivating three microalgae species in a mass culture system under outdoor conditions in the Klongwan Fisheries Research Station (KFRS), Prachuap Khiri Khan province, Thailand, from January 2022 to December 2023, along with Geographic Information System (GIS) data on air temperature changes in the province during the same period, were analyzed. The assessment revealed that temperature fluctuation (TF) directly affected the specific growth rate (μ) of each live feed. Higher TF leading to a decreased in μ for two cultured live feeds, that is Chlorella and Isochrysis, with a negative temperature coefficient (Q10) of 0.04 and 0.00, respectively, for every 0.5°C increase in TF (r2 = 0.94 and 0.38, respectively) from 31°C. In contrast, Chaetoceros showed a positive correlation between TF and μ, with a Q10 of 0.07, for every 0.5°C increase in TF (r2 = 0.97) from 31°C. To mitigate these challenges, strategies such as using temperature-control measures (e.g., shading or insulation) and selecting temperature-tolerant strains of live feed can enhance the resilience of outdoor systems to temperature change, thereby maintaining productivity in fluctuating temperature conditions.