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BIOVOLUME CALCULATION FOR PELAGIC AND BENTHIC MICROALGAE
Author(s) -
Hillebrand Helmut,
Dürselen ClausDieter,
Kirschtel David,
Pollingher Utsa,
Zohary Tamar
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of phycology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.85
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1529-8817
pISSN - 0022-3646
DOI - 10.1046/j.1529-8817.1999.3520403.x
Subject(s) - pelagic zone , benthic zone , biology , biomass (ecology) , range (aeronautics) , algae , abundance (ecology) , oceanography , statistics , biological system , ecology , mathematics , materials science , composite material , geology
Microalgal biovolume is commonly calculated to assess the relative abundance (as biomass or carbon) of co‐occurring algae varying in shape and/or size. However, a standardized set of equations for biovolume calculations from microscopically measured linear dimensions that includes the entire range of microalgal shapes is not available yet. In comparison with automated methods, the use of microscopical measurements allows high taxonomic resolution, up to the species level, and has fewer sources of error. We present a set of geometric shapes and mathematical equations for calculating biovolumes of >850 pelagic and benthic marine and freshwater microalgal genera. The equations are designed to minimize the effort of microscopic measurement. The similarities and differences between our proposal for standardization and previously published proposals are discussed and recommendations for quality standards given.