The influence of bloom intensity on the encystment rate and persistence of Alexandrium minutum in Cork Harbor, Ireland.

Highlights: [•] Vegetative cell and cyst dynamics of the harmful algae species Alexandrium minutum in Cork Harbor, Ireland from 2004–2012. [•] Low density blooms (<100,000cellsL−1) allow persistence of bloom over decadal timescales. [•] Bloom magnitude is independent of the cyst density measured the previous winter. [•] A mean 2% encystment rate was recorded in the field regardless of the cell density. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]