Cytometric diversity in marine ultraphytoplankton

Abstract

The concept and methods of ecological diversity in communities were applied to phytoplankton categorized by flow cytometric measurements related to size and chlorophyll content. Each cytometric signature was condensed to single numerical values indicative of diversity and evenness. Measurements pooled from studies disparate in temporal and spatial scales indicated greater chlorophyll biomass and primary production with greater cytometric diversity and evenness. Future development of these ideas may help link biological oceanographic processes with patterns established through ecological processes at the community level.