Observations of small‐scale spatial patterns in phytoplankton populations1

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Abstract
The temporal and spatial distribution of phytoplankton in a shallow eutrophic marsh was studied by means of horizontal and vertical transects. Biological and chemical data showed patchiness on scales from centimeters to meters. Many of the parameters showed correlations between mean square and variance and displayed skewed distributions. Wind speed was correlated with mean horizontal chlorophyll content and the coefficient of variation of chlorophyll in the vertical dimension. Phytoplankton populations were dominated by a single species of Cyclotella. Diversity index calculations showed a small reduction of community diversity at high Cyclotella abundances. The patchiness is explained by the fact that the samples were taken in a mixing zone beween two distinct water masses, one more eutrophic than the other.