Contrasting Patterns of Phytoplankton Assemblages in Two Coastal Ecosystems in Relation to Environmental Factors (Corsica, NW Mediterranean Sea)

Diversity

Marie Garrido¹  Barbara Koeck¹  Anne Goffart³  Amandine Collignon³  Jean-Henri Hecq³  Sylvia Agostini¹  Bernard Marchand¹  Pierre Lejeune² 

[1] UMR 6134 Sciences for Environment, UMS 3514 Stella-Mare, CNRS University of Corsica, BP 52, 20250 Corte, France; E-Mails:;STARESO, BP 33, 20260 Calvi, France; E-Mail:;MARE Center, Laboratory of Oceanology, University of Liège, Sart Tilman B6c, 4000 Liege, Belgium; E-Mails:

关键词: ecological succession;    coastal waters;    phytoplankton;    pigment analysis;    microscopy;    size fractionation;    Water Framework Directive;   

DOI  :  10.3390/d6020296

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Corsica Island is a sub-basin of the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea, with hydrological features typical of both oligotrophic systems and eutrophic coastal zones. Phytoplankton assemblages in two coastal ecosystems of Corsica (the deep Bay of Calvi and the shallow littoral of Bastia) show contrasting patterns over a one-year cycle. In order to determine what drives these variations, seasonal changes in littoral phytoplankton are considered together with environmental parameters. Our methodology combined a survey of the physico-chemical structure of the subsurface water with a characterization of the phytoplankton community structure. Sampling provided a detailed record of the seasonal changes and successions that occur in these two areas. Results showed that the two sampled stations presented different phytoplankton abundance and distribution patterns, notably during the winter–spring bloom period. Successions in pico-, nano-, and microphytoplankton communities appeared mainly driven by differences in the ability to acquire nutrients, and in community-specific growth rates. Phytoplankton structure and dynamics are discussed in relation to available data on the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea. These results confirm that integrated monitoring of coastal areas is a requisite for gaining a proper understanding of marine ecosystems.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.