Seasonality of microphytobenthos revealed by remote-sensing in a South European estuary

The biomass spatial distribution map, obtained for January 2003, indicated low values ranging from 0 to 20 mg Chl a m−2 for the lower shores, while in the upper shore biomass varied between 60 and 80 mg Chl a m−2. This study suggests striking differences in MPB seasonal patterns between the northern and southern European estuaries and stresses the need for ecophysiological approaches to investigate the role of thermo- and photo-inhibition as structuring factors for MPB biomass distribution.