Phytoplankton,; Pigments; Composition index; Pressures; Western Mediterranean Sea
Abstract :
[en] As phytoplankton reflect immediate effects of changes in nutrient inputs in ecosystems, they have been retained by several European legislations to assess the health status of marine ecosystems. Here, we present a new phytoplankton composition index, PPCI Med (Pigment Pressure Composition Index) adapted to the specificities of the Western Mediterranean coastal waters. It uses diagnostic pigments of total phytoplankton measured by HPLC. Only pigments responding positively to pressures (i.e. nutrient concentrations) are considered. The calculation protocol is described, and an evaluation grid is proposed. PPCI Med is designed to be scientifically robust yet easy to implement by stakeholders lacking expertise in phytoplankton biodiversity. PPCI is transferable in other coastal zones if pigments/pressure relationships are established.
Research Center/Unit :
FOCUS - Freshwater and OCeanic science Unit of reSearch - ULiège
Disciplines :
Aquatic sciences & oceanology
Author, co-author :
Goffart, Anne ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Biologie, Ecologie et Evolution > Océanographie biologique
Language :
English
Title :
PPCI Med, a new phytoplankton composition index responding to anthropogenic pressure in the Mediterranean Sea
