Colonization, adaptations and temporal changes in diversity and biomass of a phytoplankton community in upwelled water off the Cape Peninsula, South Africa, in December 1979

Abstract

The colonization, adaptations and temporal changes in the species diversity and biomass of phytoplankton in an upwelling plume off the Cape Peninsula are described. Certain community characteristics such as biomass, diversity and growth rates were investigated so that successional stages as a result of environmental changes could be characterized. A mixed phytoplankton bloom comprising 49 species developed with Chaetoceros compressus Laud, and Skeletonema costaium (Grev.) Cleve the dominant species. The factors responsible for these species successfully colonizing and dominating are examined with respect to their specific selective adaptations for growth. An attempt is made to determine the mechanism whereby these species dominated, by proposing several possible adaptations in terms of cell size, growth, nutrient absorption and buoyancy. Increase in cell size along the drogue trajectory is considered as a strategy in adapting to the changing environmental conditions. © 1983 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.