Productivity of Florida Springs: first semi-annual report to Biology Division, Office of Naval Research, progress from June 1, 1952 to January 31, 1953
Work has begun on studying the factors responsible for productivityin the Florida springs, which are nearly constant temperature, constantchemical, steady state giant laboratories. Progress has been made on fiveaspects: qualitative description, quantitative description, completionof knowledge of chemical factors, measurement of productivity , developmentof productivity theory.Measurement of the primary productivity in Silver Springs and GreenCove Springs by two new methods: the raising of organisms in cages, and themeasurement of night & day differences in oxygen downstream agree roughly.Production in these springs is greater than previous production figures reportedfor marine, fresh water, and land areas. Instantaneous measures of production show large variations with season, time of day, cloud cover. Productionestimates range from 11,000 lbs per acre per year to 70,000 lbs. glucose peracre per year during daylight hours.Essential stability of the springs environment has been shown withrespect to temperature, phosphorus, and plant cover. A correlation of speciesnumber with lack of stability has been shown with insects. Quantitativestudies have shown very large plant base to pyramids of mass. Correlationof marine invasion with chlorinity has been shown. The essential aspects ofpH regulated phosphorus geochemistry in Florida have been outlined. Sometheoretical ideas on productivity have been evolved. Mapping of sessileorganisms in springs and taxonomic identification of dominants are halfcompleted. Plans for second six months include measurement of herbivoreand carnivore production rates and completion of food chain efficiencydeterminations in Silver Springs as a preparation for subsequentcomparisons between springs. (34pp.)
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | monograph biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
University of Florida, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Biology
1953
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| Subjects: | Ecology, Limnology, springs, Florida, productivity, |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1834/18321 |
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