Phytoplankton Productivity in Aquatic Ecosystems

Abstract

In recent years substantial efforts have been expended in developing and synthesizing data concerned with primary production in aquatic ecosystems. Salt marsh interactions with aquatic systems have been critically reviewed by Nixon (1980), eutrophication issues have received great attention (e.g. National Academy of Sciences 1969; Schindler 1977; Neilson and Cronin 1981; see also Chap. 13, this Vol.) and notable progress has been made concerning factors regulating primary production rates in lakes (e.g. Brylinsky and Mann 1973; Schindler 1978; Fee 1979). Riley (1972) and Koblentz-Mishke et al. (1970) have reviewed aspects of marine productivity. Such reviews are helpful in active research areas as mechanisms to confirm or rephrase basic research hypotheses and to provide those involved in managing aquatic systems with current (although not necessarily generally accepted) ecological information.