Marine eutrophication: a proposed data analysis procedure for assessing spatial trends.
A methodology for the discrimination of the different trophic levels at a spatial scale in the marine environment is proposed using spatial analysis methods and non-parametric statistics. Phytoplankton cell number, being a representative parameter to express trophic trends in the marine ecosystem is selected for the methodology development; Saronicos Gulf, Greece is used for the case study. The proposed stepwise methodology includes interpolation for assessing the spatial distribution of phytoplankton cell number, division of the Gulf into a number of quadrates, development of a scale characterising trophic levels and finally characterisation of the trophic state of each quadrate using non-parametric statistics. The advantages of this methodology and the potential applications in coastal management studies are also discussed.
Kitsiou
D
D
Department of Environmental Studies, University of the Aegean, Mytilene, Greece. dkitsiou@univ-perp.fr
Karydis
M
M
D002452:Cell Count; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000254:growth & development; D005068:Eutrophication; D020387:Food Chain; D006115:Greece; D008954:Models, Biological; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010839:Phytoplankton / Q000254:growth & development*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data