Worksheet
Plankton Patterns
BIOL / MST R100
Name: ________________________________________________________________
Instructions:
1. For each image, indicate if the average size of the phytoplankton population inside Box 1 (by
Alaska) is low (purple or blues or black), medium (green or yellow), or high (orange or red).
Black indicates there was no data collected so base your decision on areas where there is
data.
2. For each image, indicate if the average size of the phytoplankton population inside Box 2
(around Hawaii) is low (purple or dark blue), medium (light blue, green), or high (yellow,
orange, red). The white line in the middle of Box 2 represents the Hawaiian islands and is
not plankton.
3. For each image, indicate if light is limiting, if nutrients are limiting, or if neither are limiting.
If you indicated the phytoplankton population level was low or medium, something is
limiting. Only one or the other of the limiting resources will be missing
4. After you have completed steps 1 through 3 provide an explanation for the phytoplankton
pattern over the course of the year.
Box 1 Phytoplankton
Box 1 Limiting Resource
Box 2 Phytoplankton
Box 2 Limiting Resource
Worksheet
Box 1 Phytoplankton
Box 1 Limiting Resource
Box 1 Phytoplankton
Box 1 Limiting Resource
Plankton Patterns
BIOL / MST R100
Box 2 Phytoplankton
Box 2 Limiting Resource
Box 2 Phytoplankton
Box 2 Limiting Resource
Worksheet
Box 1 Phytoplankton
Box 1 Limiting Resource
Box 1 Explanation:
Box 2 Explanation
Plankton Patterns
BIOL / MST R100
Box 2 Phytoplankton
Box 2 Limiting Resource