Studies on littoral and sublittoral ecosystems

The results of 93 phytosociological descriptions of five types of kelp forest from a number of phyto geographically distinct regions are presented. Methods are described for the measurement of a complex of meaningful ecosystem parameters which fall into three groups; individual performance, ecosystem performance and ecosystem potential. The results of such measurements in the phytosociologically defined units are presented." The validity of these results and the phytometer approach is discussed and tentative conclusions are drawn from the results regarding the biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystems.