Phytoplankton biomass and production in a southern Benguela kelp bed system

Seasonal variation in phytoplankton biomass and production in the vicinity of a Southern Benguela kelp bed is studied in relation to the upwelling cycle. Mean phytoplankton biomass was estimated as 56 mg chl a m⁻² and phytoplankton production as 1.13 kg C m⁻² yr⁻¹. The top 10 m of the 20 m deep water column monitored contained 83 % of the biomass and 76.5 % of the production. Daily and seasonal variations in phytoplankton are described.