Composition, annual cycle and species diversity of the phytoplankton in Lebanese coastal water
- 1 January 1981
- journal article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Journal of Plankton Research
- Vol. 3 (1) , 123-136
- https://doi.org/10.1093/plankt/3.1.123
Abstract
Based on monthly plankton hauls (1973–75), the phytoplankton of the Lebanese coast was described for the first time. A total of 263 taxa were identified and of these 107 (45 genera) were diatom species and 157 dinoflagellates (25 genera); many of them being of indo-pacific origin as a result of known migration pattern through the Suez Canal. Annual and seasonal fluctuations were similar from year to year together with the associated planktonic diversity and abundance. Maximum and minimun values of phytoplankton density are observed in May and December respectively. The diversity index is highest in February and lowest in July. During summer, because of water stratification, high surface water temperature, strong light intensity and nutrient depletion, low productivity is observed.Keywords
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