Periphyton Accumulation Rates from Shark River Slough, Taylor Slough and Florida Bay, Everglades National Park (FCE) from January 2001 to Present

Periphyton accumulation rates were measured bimonthly at FCE LTER sites in Florida Bay and Shark Slough. Glass slides were used as artificial substrates for periphyton growth. Twenty slides were incubated for 2 months in triplicate periphytometers (flow-through plastic boxes) at the surface (SRS sites) and bottom (FB) at each site. Twelve artificial blades (made from transparency film) were incubated for 2 months in triplicate in specially constructed wire frames at the bottom at sites TS/PH 9, TS/PH 10 and TS/PH 11. Data are presented in terms of grams dry and ash-free dry mass per area per time. This is part of continuous data collection to test the hypothesis that phosphorus and nitrogen limit productivity at the upstream and downstream ends, respectively, of the FCE transects. Conclusions await longer-term data collection.本研究于佛罗里达湾（Florida Bay）与鲨鱼沼泽（Shark Slough）的FCE LTER样地中，每两月测定一次周丛生物（periphyton）的积累速率。研究采用载玻片作为周丛生物生长的人工基质：每个站点的表层（SRS样地）与底层（FB样地）均设置3组重复的周丛生物培养装置（periphytometer，通流式塑料盒），将20片载玻片置于每组装置中，开展为期2个月的培养。在TS/PH 9、TS/PH 10与TS/PH 11三个站点的底层水域，通过特制金属框架设置3组重复培养装置，将12片由透明胶片制成的人工基质片置于其中，培养时长为2个月。本数据集以单位面积单位时间内的干重与无灰干重为指标进行表述。本研究属于长期连续监测数据采集计划的一部分，旨在验证“磷与氮分别限制FCE样带上游与下游区域的生产力”这一科学假说。相关研究结论仍需依托更长期的监测数据方可得出。