Analysis of the importance of spatial and temporal heterogeneity in the estimation of annual production by phytoplankton in a small, enriched, marine basin

Abstract

In the Bedford Basin, Nova Scotia — a small, enriched, marine inlet — the annual production of phytoplankton was 220 g Cm −2yr −1 with a standard deviation of ± 35 gC m −2 yr −1. The relative contributions of spatial and temporal fluctuations to the variance of the estimate of annual production are assessed, and conclusions are drawn on the design of sampling programs. Although on any given day differences were observed in production rate among four stations, the estimates of annual production agreed within 5 %. The results from Bedford Basin are compared with those from neighbouring St Margaret's Bay, which is relatively unenriched.