With the likely emergence of satellite-based phytoplankton pigment data, it is increasingly important to examine relationships between phytoplankton pigments and other metrics of phytoplankton community composition. By using quantitative approaches, we show that phytoplankton pigments correlate with nucleic acid-based abundances, and examine how integration of these data addresses ecological questions relating to diversity patterns, harmful algal blooms, and inferring cellular activity.

We studied alpine treeline migration in boreal forests using an enhanced vegetation model that includes snow processes. Our findings revealed site-specific migration drivers, with snow playing a dual role: supporting seedling establishment while increasing mortality risks. Results emphasize the need to include snow processes in vegetation models to better predict boreal forest responses.