The study shows that warming and browning both promote heterotrophy in shallow boreal lakes, but through distinct pathways: browning enhances bacterial production and alters stoichiometry of major nutrients (C, N, P), while warming suppresses primary production. The authors consider not only changes in nutrient stoichiometry, but also their potential consequences for ecosystem productivity due to environmental changes. This research topic is timely and likely becomes increasingly important in the future due to climate change.