Most scenarios of the predicted climate change in Europe imply that the increasing temperature trend will be maintained in winter seasons. The presence or absence of the ice cover in winter can impact on the functioning of lake ecosystems. The research was carried out in two mesotrophic and dimictic lakes in winter with and without ice cover. The biomass and phytoplankton and its composition was analysed with reference to physical factors (PAR and temperature). The research proved that poor thermal-light conditions under the ice/snow cover favoured the development of nanoplanktonic species from the genus Cryptomonas (Cryptophyta) or Stephanodiscus (Bacillariophyceae), whereas microplanktonic species of dinoflagellates, diatoms or green algae prevailed during the ice-free winter. The highest phytoplankton biomass and species richness were recorded during ice-free winter, which affected a higher Shannon-Wiener diversity index and evenness. It has been shown that the mild winter creates good conditions for the development of phytoplankton species characteristic for the mixing periods. The lack of inverse thermal stratification during winter can lead to disturbance in the functioning of the water ecosystems throughout the year.
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