A comparison of net and gross rates of oxygen production as a function of light intensity in some natural plankton populations and in a Synechococcus culture

In vitrorates of gross and net oxygen production were measuredas a function of light intensity in some plankton communitiescollected from Bedford Basin, Nova Scotia, and in a monoclonalculture of Synechococcus. The rate of gross oxygen productionwas measured by a technique in which the stable oxygen isotope,¹⁸O, serves as a photosynthetic tracer Net oxygen productionwas measured by automated Winkler technique. The rate of communityrespiration in the light was then determined by the differencebetween gross and net rates of oxygen production. In the naturalpopulations examined, neither gross nor net oxygen productionrates were significantly inhibited at the highest light intensitymeasured (500–800 µE m^–2 s^–1) In a samplein which the dark respiration rate was small relative to themaximal rate of production [P_max;sensu Platt et al (1980) JMar. Res., 38, 687–701] the rates of ‘light’respiration were 3 times greater. In two other communities,with high rates of dark respiration relative to P_maxthe ratesof ‘light’ respiration were closer to rates of darkrespiration. In the Synechococcus clone, both gross and netoxygen production rates were inhibited at high light intensities.Rates of ‘light’ respiration were found to varyas a function of light intensity. The greatest rates of respirationwere measured in samples incubated at light intensities thatwere just saturating (100 µE m^–2 s^–1). Therates of ¹⁴C production were also measured as a function oflight intensity The photosynthetic quotients, based on ¹⁴C productionrates and gross oxygen production rates, average 1 9     

Photosynthetic oxygen production and community respiration in the Indian sector of the Antarctic Ocean during austral summer

Photosynthetic oxygen production by phytoplankton and community respiration in the Indian sector of the Antarctic Ocean were estimated from changes in oxygen concentrations in light and dark bottles. Gross production varied between 0.1 and 5.1 µmol O₂ l^-1 day^-1. In the same water, community respiration (the sum of oxygen consumption by heterotrophs and phytoplankton) was 0.4-3.6 µmol O₂ l^-1 day^-1, which accounted for 47-343% of the gross production. Algal and heterotrophic respirations were distinguished using some assumptions. These estimates showed that heterotrophic respiration accounted for most of the community respiration (70-91% depending upon the assumptions), indicating that heterotrophic respiration plays an important role in the mineralization of phytoplankton production in the surveyed sea area. Gross production rate correlated with chlorophyll a concentration, showing that the photosynthetic production rate of oxygen depends on the abundance of phytoplankton. Moreover, there was a significant relationship between gross production and community respiration rates. These regression equations suggested that negative net production occurred under the usually low concentration of chlorophyll observed in the Indian sector of the Antarctic Ocean. Hence, the net exchange of carbon dioxide due to biological processes through the sea surface seemed to be not as large as expected in the Antarctic Ocean, although the number of data were limited at this stage.     

Forest carbon balance under elevated CO2

Free-air CO₂ enrichment (FACE) technology was used to expose a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) forest to elevated atmospheric CO₂ (ambient + 200 µl l^-1). After 4 years, basal area of pine trees was 9.2% larger in elevated than in ambient CO₂ plots. During the first 3 years the growth rate of pine was stimulated by ~26%. In the fourth year this stimulation declined to 23%. The average net ecosystem production (NEP) in the ambient plots was 428 gC m^-2 year^-1, indicating that the forest was a net sink for atmospheric CO₂. Elevated atmospheric CO₂ stimulated NEP by 41%. This increase was primarily an increase in plant biomass increment (57%), and secondarily increased accumulation of carbon in the forest floor (35%) and fine root increment (8%). Net primary production (NPP) was stimulated by 27%, driven primarily by increases in the growth rate of the pines. Total heterotrophic respiration (R_h) increased by 165%, but total autotrophic respiration (R_a) was unaffected. Gross primary production was increased by 18%. The largest uncertainties in the carbon budget remain in separating belowground heterotrophic (soil microbes) and autotrophic (root) respiration. If applied to temperate forests globally, the increase in NEP that we measured would fix less than 10% of the anthropogenic CO₂ projected to be released into the atmosphere in the year 2050. This may represent an upper limit because rising global temperatures, land disturbance, and heterotrophic decomposition of woody tissues will ultimately cause an increased flux of carbon back to the atmosphere.     

Carbon cycling in a loblolly pine plantation

Summary The carbon cycle of a loblolly pine plantation in North Carolina was examined during its 12th through 16th years from planting. Net primary production during the study period averaged 2056 g C m^-2 year^-1. With autotrophic respiration equal to 2068 g C, the calculated gross production was 4124 g C m^-2 year^-1. Heterotrophic respiration of 694 g C m^-2 year^-1 resulted in net ecosystem production of 1362 g C m^-2 year^-1. In carbon cycle comparisons between forest ecosystems, autotrophic respiration rates were found to be closely coupled to regional temperature.     

Plankton gross production and respiration in the shallow water hydrothermal systems of Milos, Aegean Sea

Plankton gross production, net community production and darkcommunity respiration were measured at coastal sites aroundthe island of Milos, Aegean Sea, during June and September 1996and June 1997. Sampling sites were chosen to include those withand without visible signs of hydrothermal activity. Planktongross production ranged from undetectable (<0.3 mmol O₂ m-³day-¹) to 3 mmol O₂ m-³ day-¹; respiration rates ranged from1 to 6 mmol O₂ m-³ day-¹. No significant difference was foundbetween gross production or respiration rates measured at hydrothermallyactive areas and gross production or respiration rates measuredat non-venting areas. The dissolved inorganic carbon concentrationvaried by ~200 mmol C m-³ between venting and non-venting sites.Temperature had a pronounced stimulatory effect on the rateof plankton dark community respiration. The T_opt for planktondark community respiration always lay above the highest incubationtemperature of 30°C (i.e. >6°C above in situ temperature).Temperature had less of a stimulatory effect on the rate ofgross production.     

The seasonal productivity of phytoplankton in a hypertrophic, gravel-pit lake

The seasonal time course of phytoplankton primary productivitywas studied weekly in a hypertrophic, gravel-pit lake closeto Madrid, Spain. Chlorophyll a ranged 22–445 mg m^–2.Gross primary productivity attained 0.28±0.14 g C m^–2h^–1 (range: 0.06–0.60), its yearly value being 900g C m^–2, but the shallow euphotic depths and the highplankton respiration ensured that net productivity was generallylow. Respiration losses amounted to 0.31±0.24 g O₂ m^–2h^–1, with phytoplankton respiration roughly attainingone-half of overall plankton respiration. Areal phytoplanktonproductivity and plankton respiration followed a seasonal trendbut this was not the case for photosynthetic capacity. Surfacephotoinhibition was evenly distributed throughout the study.Quantum yields showed an increasing depth trend, but no seasonaltrend. Both P_max and I_k were both temperature- and irradiance-dependent.As compared with lakes of lesser trophic degree, phytoplanktonprimary production in hypertrophic lakes might be increasednot only by higher nutrient contents but also by low chlorophyll-specificattenuation coefficients and low background, non-algal attenuation,thereby allowing for higher areal chlorophyll contents and hencehigher areal productivity. Our study suggests that physical(irradiance and water column stability) as well as chemicalfeatures (dissolved inorganic carbon and soluble reactive phosphorus)may control seasonality of phytoplankton primary productionin this lake despite recent claims that only physical factorsare of significance in hypertrophic lakes. However, this doesnot explain all the variability observed and so a food web controlis also likely to be operating.     

Partitioning and Utilization of Net Photosynthate in a Nodulated Annual Legume

The economy of carbon in nodulated white lupin (Lupinus albusL.) was studied in terms of consumption of net photosynthatein nitrogen fixation, in maintenance of respiration, and inthe production of dry matter and protein. Net photosynthesisrose to a maximum in early fruiting and then fell abruptly dueto shedding of leaves. Nodulated roots acquired translocateequivalent to 51% of the plant's net photosynthate, 78% of thecarbon of this translocate being respired, 10% entering drymatter, and 12% returning to the shoot attached to productsof nitrogen fixation. Nodules utilized 4?0–6?5 g C infixing 1 g nitrogen. Photosynthate was utilized most effectivelyfor nitrogen fixation in late vegetative growth. Fruits sequestered16% of the plant's net photosynthate, shoot night respiration17%, and dry matter formation in shoot vegetative parts 22%.Averaged over growth, 9?9 g net photosynthate was required toproduce 1 g seed dry matter and 31 g net photosynthate to produce1 g seed protein. Budgets for utilization of the carbon of netphotosynthate were constructed for 10 d intervals of the plant'sgrowth cycle. Feeding of shoots with ¹⁴CO₂ resulted in radiocarbonbecoming partitioned approximately as predicted by these budgets.The dependence of root respiration on recent photosynthate wasassessed by following the time course of release of ¹⁴CO₂ tothe rooting medium of the ¹⁴CO-labelled plants.     

Algal 14C and total carbon metabolisms. 2. Experimental observations with the diatom Skeletonema costatum

Three sets of comparisons of net and gross inorganic carbonassimilation and ¹⁴C uptake were made with an axenic cultureof Skdetonema costatum. The comparisons showed that in the physiologicalwindow studied (10–20% of the intrinsic generation timeand gross photosynthesis/respiration ratios of 2–3), ¹⁴Cuptake into the paniculate plus the dissolved fractions approximatedto net photosynthesis. Rate constants derived from the chemicallydetermined changes were used to parameterize models that accountedfor the respiration of photosynthetic products and for the recyclingof respiratory CO₁₄. The conclusion drawn was that over thetime scale studied, the ¹⁴C technique was measuring net photosynthesis,consistent with essentially 100% recycling of respiratory CO₂.The study has shown that we now possess the basis to make arigorous analysis of net, gross CC₄ fixation and net ¹⁴C uptake,and forms the first step in the development of algorithms forthe interpretation of ¹⁴C field observations.     

Effect of Temperature on Photosynthesis and Photorespiration of Wheat Leaves

Wheat plants were grown in a controlled environment with daytemperatures of 18 ?C and with 500 µ Einsteins m^–28^–1 of photosynthetically active radiation for 16 h. Beforeanthesis and 2 to 3 weeks after, rates of net photosynthesiswere measured for leaves in 2 or 21% O₂ containing 350 vpm CO₂at 13, 18, 23, and 28 ?C and with 500 µEinsteins m^–2s^–1 of photosynthetically active radiation. Also, underthe same conditions of light intensity and temperature, therates of efflux of CO₂ into CO₂-free air were measured and,for mature flag leaves 3 to 4 weeks after anthesis, gross andnet photosynthesis from air containing 320 vpm ¹⁴CO₂ of specificactivity 39?7 nCi µmol^–1. When the O₂ concentration was decreased from 21 to 2% (v/v)the rate of net photosynthesis increased by 32 per cent at thelowest temperature and 54 per cent at the highest temperature.Efflux of CO₂ into CO₂-free air ranged from 38 per cent of netphotosynthesis at 13 ?C to 86 per cent at 28 ?C. Gross photosynthesis,measured by the ¹⁴C assimilated during 40 s, was greater thannet photosynthesis by some 10 per cent at 13 ?C and 17 per centat 28 ?C. These data indicate that photorespiration was relativelygreater at higher temperatures.     

开垦对克氏针茅草地生态系统碳通量的影响

 植被–大气间CO₂净交换及其对环境变化的响应是目前全球变化研究的热点问题。该研究通过同化箱式法, 在内蒙古农牧交错带对比研究生长季草地生态系统和耕种多年的小麦田生态系统碳通量的变化, 以探讨该地区碳通量的变化规律及影响碳通量主要因子, 并揭示农田开垦对草原碳通量的影响。结果显示: 两个生态系统的群落净气体交换(Net ecosystem exchange, NEE)有明显的季节变化。整个测定期间, 草地生态系统的净气体交换NEE的最高值为–11.26 µmol CO₂&#8226;m^–2&#8226;s^–1, 平均群落净气体交换为–5.33 µmol CO₂&#8226;m^–2&#8226;s^–1; 小麦田群落NEE最大值为–12.29 µmol CO₂&#8226;m^–2&#8226;s^–1, 平均群落净气体交换为–7.66 µmol CO₂&#8226;m^–2&#8226;s^–1。分析发现, 叶面积指数LAI是影响该地区生态系统NEE的主要因子, 相对贫瘠的土壤也是限制该地区生态系统碳固定的一个重要因子。因小麦的生长特性, 在生长中后期, 小麦田生态系统NEE随LAI的变化没有草地生态系统的敏感。此外, 较低的土壤含水量限制了小麦田群落呼吸, 使得小麦田群落呼吸对温度的敏感性降低。     

Photosynthetic parameters, pigment composition and respiration rates of the marine diatom Skeletonema costatum grown in continuous light and a 12:12 h light-dark cycle

Nutrient-sufficient cultures of a Trondheimsfjord (Norway) cloneof the marine centric diatom Skeleionema costatum (Grev.) Clevewere grown at 75 µmol m^–2 s^–1 and 15C at24 and 12 h daylength to study diurnal variations and the effectof daylength on pigment and chemical composition, photosyntheticparameters, dark respiration rates and scaled fluorescence excitationspectra (F), the latter used as estimates for the absorptionof energy available to Photosystem II. Specific growth rateswere 1.06 and 0.56 day^– in 24 and 12 h daylength, respectively,while dark respiration rates were generally 85% of the net growthrate. The Chla-normalized photosynthetic coefficients P^B_m anda^B were {small tilde}20–25% higher in continuous lightthan at 12 h daylength, while the Chla:C ratio was {small tilde}15%lower (0.051 versus 0.061 w:w). Thus, the carbon-normalizedcoefficients P^c_m and a^c were <11% lower at 24 h than at 12h daylength. The maximum quantum yield _max, the Chla:C ratioand F differed negligibly, as did the light saturation indexl_k, the N:C ratio and the ratios Chlc:Chla and Fucoxanthin:Chla. P^B_m and l_k did not exhibit diurnal variations at 24 hdaylength, and varied within 23% of the daily mean at 12 h daylength.Predictions of the daily gross photosynthetic rate based ondata for a given time of the day should thus not be >10%in error relative to an integrated value based on several datasets collected through 24 h. _max was 0.084–0.117 mol O₂(mol photons)^– for gross oxygen evolution. However, ifused in mathematical models for predicting the gross and netgrowth rates (i.e. the gross and net carbon turnover rates),‘practical’ values of 0.076 and 0.040 g-at C (molphotons)^–, respectively, should be employed. Correspondingly,values for a^B and P^B_m should be adjusted pro rata. ¹Present address: College of Marine Studies, Sjmannsveien 27,N-6008 lesund, Norway     

Effects of Elevated Carbon Dioxide Concentration in the Dark on the Growth of Soybean Seedlings

Previous work has shown that elevated carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrationsin the dark reversibly reduce the rate of CO₂ efflux from soybeans.Experiments were performed exposing soybean plants continuallyto concentrations of 350 or 700 cm³ m^-3 for 24 h d^-1, or to350 during the day and 700 cm³ m^-3 at night, in order to determinethe importance of the reduced rate of dark CO₂ efflux for plantgrowth. High CO₂ applied only at night conserved carbon andincreased dry mass during initial growth compared with the constant350 cm³ m^-3 treatment. Long-term net assimilation rate was increasedby high CO₂ in the dark, without any increase in daytime leafphotosynthesis. However, leaf area ratio was reduced by thedark CO₂ treatment to values equal to those of plants continuallyexposed to the higher concentration. From days 14-21, leaf areawas less for the elevated night-time CO₂ treatment than foreither the constant 350 or 700 cm³ m^-3 treatments. For the days7-21-period, relative growth rate was significantly reducedby the high night CO₂ treatment compared with the 350 cm³ m^-3continuous treatment. The results indicate that some functionallysignificant component of respiration was reduced by the elevatedCO₂ concentration in the dark.Copyright 1995, 1999 AcademicPress Glycine max L. (Merr.), carbon dioxide, plant growth, respiration     

Phytoplankton primary productivity characteristics in response to photosynthetically active radiation in three Kenyan Rift Valley saline alkaline lakes

Phytoplankton photosynthetic characteristics in the Kenyan RiftValley lakes Bogoria, Nakuru and Elmentaita were studied betweenNovember 2003 and February 2005. In these world-famous saline–alkalinelake systems, long-term continuous monitoring and photoautotrophicprimary productivity modelling have been done for the firsttime. High light attenuation coefficients were observed withlakes means around 13 m^–1 reflecting the huge phytoplanktonbiomass. No photoinhibition was observed in the primary productivityfield measurements. High values of the photosynthesis–irradiancecurve initial slope () up to 0.85 (mg O₂ mg Chl a^–1 h^–1)(µmolphotons m^–2 s^–1)^–1 and a low onset of productivitysaturation (E_k) down to 11.4 µmol photons m^–2 s^–1as an acclimation to poor light supply were found. For the trophogeniczone, high mean net primary production (NPP) rates of 6.8, 10.7and 8.5 g O₂ m^–2 day^–1 were recorded for Bogoria,Nakuru and Elmentaita. For the whole water column, NPP decreasedto –1.4, 1.6 and 7.2 g O₂ m^–2 day^–1 becauseof high community respiration. Modelling of the gross primaryproduction (GPP, Chlorophyll a, light supply, initial slope, maximum production rates considered) gave annual values of4.9, 6.8 and 4.2 kg O₂ m^–2 year^–1, respectively,for Bogoria, Nakuru and Elmentaita, annual NPP values down tothe compensation depth were 70, 65 and 55% of the GPP.     

Components of Growth and Dark Respiration of Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum Chiov.) at Various Temperatures

Growth and dark respiration were measured in dense, miniatureswards of kikuyu grass grown at constant temperatures of 15,20, 25 and 30 °C. Total respiration over the first 12 hof darkness was very high and CO² efflux per unit surface areavaried from 2.4 to 3.9 g CO₂ m^–2 h^–1 at 15 and 30°C respectively. Such rates were consistent with the correspondinglyhigh net growth rates of 24 and 63 g d. wt m^–2 d^–1and the heavy yields of herbage. When plants were kept in thedark, CO₂ efflux subsequently declined rapidly to a lower, constantrate which was taken to be the maintenance respiration rate.The half-life of the declining phase of respiration averaged10.9 and 6.0 h at 15 and 30 °C respectively, and was curvilinearlyrelated to the specific maintenance respiration rate (m). Therapid decline in respiration was consistent with the low concentrationsof total soluble carbohydrate and starch in the herbage. Valuesof m for lamina and top growth increased with temperature witha Q₁₀ of 2.6 and 1.42 respectively, but m of stems alone wasnot affected by temperature. Using results from this study forkikuyu and from McCree (1974) for sorghum and white clover,it was noted that all three species have similar m when grownat temperatures which are near their respective optimums forgrowth. Kikuyu, Pennisetum clandestinum, growth, respiration, temperature     

冬季土壤呼吸：不可忽视的地气CO2交换过程

 冬季土壤呼吸是生态系统释放CO₂的极为重要的组成部分,并显著地影响着碳收支。然而,过去绝大多数工作集中在生长季节土壤呼吸的测定,对年土壤呼吸量的估算大多基于冬季土壤呼吸为零的假设。目前为数不多的研究集中在极地苔原和亚高山,其它植被类型的研究只有零星报道。极地苔原和森林冬季土壤呼吸速率分别为0.002～1.359和0.22～0.67 μmol C．m^-2·s^-1;土壤呼吸的CO2释放量分别为0.55～26.37和22.4～152.0 g C·m^－2,是地气CO₂交换过程中不可忽视的环节。雪是土壤呼吸过程的重要调节者,积雪厚度和覆盖时间的长短均会影响土壤呼吸的强弱;水分的可获取性是重要的限制因素;对于维持活跃的土壤呼吸有一个关键的土壤温度临界值（-7～-5 ℃）,低于这个值会因自由水的缺乏而抑制异养微生物的呼吸。如果存在绝缘的积雪层,可溶性碳底物在自由水存在的情况下可控制异养微生物的活力。该文对冬季土壤呼吸的重要性、研究方法、土壤呼吸强度及其影响机制等进行了综述,并讨论了冬季土壤呼吸研究中存在的问题及未来研究方向。     

Maintenance and Constructive Respiration, Photosynthesis, and Net Assimilation Rate in Seedlings of Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida Mill.)

Pitch pine seedlings were grown at constant temperature andphotoperiod. Net CO₂-uptake h^–1 g^–1 leaves decreasedsteadily during ontogeny until leaf production ceased. Thereafter,there was no change or a slight increase. Though the ontogeneticpattern was the same in populations native to different geographicareas, there were differences among populations in the rateof CO₂-uptake. Root respiration, calculated from the differencebetween CO₂-uptake and net assimilation rate, accounted for6 to 69 per cent of diurnal assimilation. Growth of shoots and roots was episodic and out of phase. Spurtsof growth could be forecast by high rates of respiration 4 weeksearlier, probably because high-energy syntheses precede theprocesses of cell elongation and cell wall formation. Maintenanceand constructive respiration were substantially higher for theshoots (85 per cent leaf tissue) than for the roots. Constructiverespiration was proportional to photosynthesis.     

A System for Measuring Effects of Sulphur Dioxide on Gas Exchange of Plants

Apparatus is described for exposing plants to low concentrationsof SO₂ (50–500µg m^–3 in air) and for measuringeffects on photosynthesis, dark respiration, and transpiration.Temperature, humidity, and irradiance in the chambers were controlledindependently, and fans ensured that leaf boundary layer resistanceswere low. Experiments with plants of Vicia faba in clean andpolluted air showed that: (i) a depression of net photosynthesisby 50 µg m^–3 SO₂ depended on boundary layer resistanceand on irradiance; (ii) stomatal resistance was increased ordecreased by 50 µg m^–3 SO₂ when relative humidityin the chambers was low (35% r.h., 22 °C) or high (50% r.h.,22 °C) respectively.     

基于涡度协方差法和生理生态法对落叶松林CO2通量的初步研究

 该文利用涡度协方差法和生理生态学方法（不同分量的累积和）获得的通量观测数据,对老山落叶松(Larix gmelinii)林(45°20′N, 127°34 ′E)的碳收支进行了分析。通过对每0.5 h所测数据进行的分析表明,能量平衡达到75％,说明涡度协方差法适应于本站的研究。较阴天气情况 下,林分光照利用效率显著高于晴朗天气,可能归因于阴天较多的散射光。以单位土地面积计算发现,通过涡度协方差法计算的落叶松林生态 系统的总初级生产力在20～50 μmol•m^-2•s^-1之间,远高于冠层叶片的总光合速率9.8～23.4μmol•m^-2•s^-1 (平均值16.2μmol•m^-2•s^-1 ),而 当综合考虑冠层光合和林下植物光合作用时,两种方法测定结果吻合性较好,说明林下植物对落叶松林碳平衡有重要影响。在估计森林生态系 统呼吸方面,以有风夜晚净生态系统交换量（NEE）来代表生态系统呼吸总量（3～9μmol•m^-2•s^-1）低估了生态系统呼吸总量,粗略估计较生 理生态学方法（不同呼吸分量的累积和）低估了50%左右（14.2μmol•m^-2•s^-1）。结果发现两种方法在估计森林碳平衡方面存在一定的差异, 呼吸量的估计差异应是今后研究的重点。     

Transfer of Mass and Energy in a Cassava Community (Manihot esculenta Crantz cv. Cubana) 2. CO2 Exchange in a Savanna Climate

The energy balance approach was applied to calculate the CO₂flux above and within a cassava community, growing during asavanna wet season. Data of the response of CO₂ exchange todiurnal changes in the savanna environment were integrated toa growth analysis of the cassava crop. The carbon budget of the entire community was calculated atdifferent development stages. Results indicate that CO₂ uptakein cassava appears to follow a linear net radiation responsecurve, dependent on crop age. The maximum net CO₂ uptake decreasedfrom 0.195 MJ m^–2 day^–1 at maximum leaf area development(August) to 0.028 MJ m^–1 day-1 2 months later. These ratesrepresent 41 and 19 per cent gross assimilation. Data of energy conversion efficiency show that at a maximumleaf area development, the crop fixed 2.2 and 0.9 per cent Rtas gross (_g) and net photosynthesis (n) respectively. As theseason proceeded,n decreased to 0.1, whereas g decreased to0.7, which indicates that dry matter lost by respiration isone of the determining factors in the seasonal trend of efficiencychanges. The comparison of growth characteristics calculated for cv.Cubana, growing during consecutive years in the same experimentalsite, indicate that yearly variability in dry matter accumulationis due to the wide range of environmental conditions presentduring the savanna wet season. Operational factors acting depressivelyon the cassava carbon budget and affecting dry matter productionwere also analysed. Manihot esculenta Crantz, cassava, microclimate, carbon budget, carbon dioxide fluxes     

Ecosystem and macrophyte primary production of the Fort River,Massachusetts

Primary production and ecosystem respiration of the Fort River ecosystem, a medium size (mean discharge 1.4 m³/sec) lowland stream in central Massachusetts, U.S.A., were measured using diurnal oxygen techniques from May 1972 to November 1973. During the summer of 1973, vascular hydrophyte production was measured with a modified cropping technique. Whole ecosystem gross primary production ranged from 0.44 g O₂/m²:day in winter to 6.50 g O₂/m^2.day in summer, and averaged 1.78 g O₂/m^2.day for 12 months. Mean ecosystem respiration was 3.65 g O₂/m^2.day for 12 months. Mean ecosystem respiration was 3.65 g O₂/m^2.day.Macrophyte gross production (59.9 g O₂/m^2.year) constitutes 9.2% of annual ecosystem productivity and 15.2% of summer primary production. Macrophytes were little grazed and entered food webs only after death, as detritus. Decomposition occurred near the site of production at relatively rapid rates, thus transport of dead macrophyte material in stream water was low. Data from this and other stream ecosystems suggest that in general, streams are only moderately productive ecosystems which depend to varying degrees on watershed-derived organic matter inputs.