Phytoplankton Biomass and Production in a Southern Benguela Kelp Bed System

Abstract

Seasonal variation in phytoplankton biomass and production in the vicinity of a Southern Benguela kelp bed is studied in relation to the upwelling cycle. Mean phytoplankton biomass was estimated as 56 mg chl a m super(-2) and phytoplankton production as 1.13 kg C m super(-2)yr super(-1). The top 10 m of the 20 m deep water column monitored contained 83% of the biomass and 76.5% of the production. Daily and seasonal variations in phytoplankton are described