Modern Planktology: Current State and Prospects (Based on materials from the 5th All-Russian Conference «Current Problems of Planktology»

Modern planktology is the science, which is comprehensively assessing the biological diversity, structure, and functioning of pelagic communities in various water bodies, as well as their roles in ensuring fish productivity and supporting the sustainable development of aquatic ecosystems. A detailed analysis of topical planktology issues at the current scientific level, identifying the most complex challenges, and assessing the prospects for the development of this science are essential not only for the successful fundamental research in aquatic ecology but also for addressing critical issues in fisheries and applied hydrobiology, environmental protection, and maintaining the health of aquatic ecosystems. In this regard, in September 2025, Russian planktologists and their colleagues from the Republic of Belarus gathered for the fifth time on the Baltic coast to participate in the scientific conference “Current Issues in Planktology”. The conference presented the latest advances in the studies of biodiversity and trophic interactions in plankton, taxonomy and identification of major groups of planktonic organisms, research results on invasive species and their roles in pelagic communities, and new information on harmful phytoplankton blooms in marine, brackish, and freshwater ecosystems. Furthermore, a taxonomic training course for young scientists was held during the conference.

1. Collection “Actual Problems of Planktonology” // Materials of the conference, Kaliningrad, September 9-14, 2012 – Kaliningrad: publishing house of FSUE AtlantNIRO. 2012. 100 p. (In Russ.)

2. Collection “Actual Problems of Planktonology” // Proceedings of the II International Conference, Svetlogorsk, Kaliningrad region, September 14-18, 2015 – Kaliningrad: Publishing house of the FGBOU VPO “KSTU”. 2015. 142 p. (In Russ.)

3. Telesh I.V., Naumenko E.N., Arkhipov A.G. (2015). II International Conference “Actual Problems of Planktonology” with taxonomic training for young scientists // Fisheries. № 5. Pp. 12-14. (In Russ.)

4. Collection “Actual Problems of Planktonology” // Proceedings of the III International Conference, Zelenogradsk, Kaliningrad region, September 24-28, 2018 – Kaliningrad: AtlantNIRO. 2018. 236 p. (In Russ.)

5. Collection “Actual problems of planktonology” // Materials of the IV All-Russian Conference, Svetlogorsk, Kaliningrad region, September 25-30, 2022 – Kaliningrad: Publishing House of KSTU. 2022. 232 p. (In Russ.)

6. Telesh I.V., Skarlato S.O. (2022). Studies of cellular and molecular mechanisms coupled with physico-chemical and ecological prerequisites of harmful algal blooms secure advanced research prospects in planktonology // Protistology, 16 (3). Pp. 149-160. https://doi.org/10.21685/1680-0826-2022-16-3-1.

7. Telesh I.V., Naumenko E.N. (2023). Actual problems of planktonology // Rybnoe hozyajstvo (FISHERIES), 1. Pp. 4-6. https://doi.org/10.37663/0131-6184-2023-1-4-6. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.)

8. Collection “Actual problems of planktonology” // V All-Russian Conference with International Participation “Actual Problems of Planktonology” with taxonomic training course for young scientist, Svetlogorsk, Kaliningrad region, September 8-12, 2025. Abstracts. – Kaliningrad: Publishing House of KSTU. 2025. 143 p.

9. Telesh I.V., Skarlato S.O. (2022). Harmful blooms of the potentially toxic dinoflagellates in the Baltic Sea: ecological, cellular and molecular background // Russian Journal of Ecology. 53 (6). Pp. 464–477. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1067413622060157.

10. Telesh I.V., Rodin G.J., Schubert H., Skarlato S.O., 2025. Modeling unveils how kleptoplastidy affects mixotrophy boosting algal blooms // Biology.14(7): 900. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14070900.