Indicator
Phytoplankton Primary Productivity (Pelagic)
Basics
Phytoplankton Primary Productivity (Pelagic)
Primary Productivity
Outcome
Program
Each Unit (number)
WQ2: Maintain annual mean phytoplankton primary productivity at or below 52gmC/m2/yr.
Depth-integrated annual average phytoplankton primary productivity expressed as grams carbon per square meter per year (g C m-2 y-1).
This Indicator is reported in the following LT Info areas:
Status

Annual estimates of phytoplankton primary productivity from water samples collected at the Lake Tahoe Index Station, 1968 to 2018. 

Name Options
Primary Productivity
General

Program Phytoplankton Monitoring

Approach

Phytoplankton PPr measurements at Lake Tahoe have been made following the same standard operating procedure since the first observations were made in 1967 (Winder et al., 2009). Lake water is collected at the TERC west shore index station, which was found to be representative of the lake’s deepwater condition (Charles Remington Goldman, 1974). For each sampling event, water samples are collected from 13 different depths (between 0-105m) spanning the photic zone (i.e., the vertical zone in the water column exposed to sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis to occur), and analysed to determine carbon assimilation rates using very sensitive methods needed for pristine or oligotrophic waters (Charles Remington Goldman, 1974). Values from the various samples are aggregated to yield a depth-integrated PPr value. These depth-integrated values are aggregated over the calendar year to generate an estimate of annual average phytoplankton primary productivity. Between 1967 and 2006, measurements w

Partners

Associated Programs data not provided.