Observations on the effect of the monsoons in the production of phytoplankton

Abstract

It is well known that agricultural operations on land, food production especially in India, depend on the success or failure of the monsoons. Russel and Yonge (1947) while discussing seasonal cycle of plankton organisms in the tropical areas, state that "there are dry and rainy periods, the monsoons, and weather conditions that alternate with unfailing regularity during the year and it is more than probable that these secular changes may have their effect upon life in the sea". The effect of the monsoons has also been pointed out by Kow (1953) for the Malay region. In this brief account, it is proposed to show what are the effects of the monsoons on life in the sea and how they influence production therein.