Primary production in the Benguela ecosystem, 1999–2002

Barlow, R; Lamont, T; Mitchell-Innes, B; Lucas, M; Thomalla, S

Primary production in the Benguela ecosystem, 1999–2002

Journal Article

2009

Journal Title

African Journal of Marine Science

Link to Journal

https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/tams20/current

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Biological Sciences

Faculty

Faculty of Science

Abstract

Phytoplankton production was investigated throughout the whole Benguela ecosystem in winter 1999 and in summer 2002 during two four-week research cruises from Cape Town, South Africa, through Namibian waters to Namibe in southern Angola. Primary production ranged from 0.14–2.26 g C m−2 d−1 during June–July 1999 and from 0.39–8.83 g C m−2 d−1 during February–March 2002. Mean productivity values indicated that the Benguela ecosystem was twice as productive in summer than in winter. In 1999, most of the productivity occurred within a temperature range of 13.5–18 °C, whereas in 2002 elevated production was associated with temperatures of 14–22 °C. The relationship between primary production and chlorophyll a was good for winter 1999 but poor for summer 2002, suggesting that predicting primary production from chlorophyll a is not straightforward for the Benguela ecosystem.