CYTOMETRIC DIVERSITY IN MARINE ULTRAPHYTOPLANKTON

The concept and methods of ecological diversity in communities were ap plied to phytoplankton categorized by flow cytometric measurements rel ated to size and chlorophyll content. Each cytometric signature was co ndensed to single numerical values indicative of diversity and evennes s. Measurements pooled from studies disparate in temporal and spatial scales indicated greater chlorophyll biomass and primary production wi th greater cytometric diversity and evenness. Future development of th ese ideas may help link biological oceanographic processes with patter ns established through ecological processes at the community level.