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The Effects of Sampling Intervals on Phytoplankton Growth and Loss Values Derived from Seasonal Phytoplankton Biomass Variations in an Artificial Lake
Author(s) -
Horn Heidemarie
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
internationale revue der gesamten hydrobiologie und hydrographie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1522-2632
pISSN - 0020-9309
DOI - 10.1002/iroh.19840690112
Subject(s) - phytoplankton , biomass (ecology) , sampling (signal processing) , environmental science , zoology , mathematics , ecology , biology , nutrient , filter (signal processing) , computer science , computer vision
Detailed vertical phytoplankton sample series with a good resolution were taken every 3–4 days for almost two years from the artificial Lake Saidenbach. The intervals between samplings were systematically increased by regularly “ignoring” certain samples so that six different annual curves based on different sampling frequencies were obtained to describe phytoplankton variations in the course of the year from a single time series. In this way it was possible to study the effect of the interval between samplings on the results of phytoplankton studies and on the rates of change and turnover calculated from the biomass. The results show that the maximum rates of change and turnover values yielded by half‐weekly samplings are some 20–30% higher than those yielded by weekly samplings. Sampling intervals smaller than 3–4 days yield not much increased rates of change and turnovers. This implies that short term changes in the phytoplankton are more accurately detected by half‐weekly samplings. It is therefore suggested that, depending on the nature and objectives of the investigations, sampling intervals of 3–4 weeks are sufficient for the winter, but during the growth period (spring to autumn) samples should be taken at least once a week or fortnightly.