Primary Productivity of Boca Ciega Bay, Florida

The relative importance of turtle grass, phytoplankton, and the benthic microflora as primary producers was determined in Boca Ciega Bay, Florida. In water less than two meters in depth, which makes up 75 per cent of the bay, the three are about equally important. In deeper water only phytoplankton is significant. The methods used and the estimation of community production are discussed.