Table 2 Linear regression analysis information (R², equation, and significance) between viral and prokaryotic abundances in a photosynthetic microbial mat in Schiermonnikoog (as shown in Fig. 8), for the different sampling months (November, April, and July) and depths (0–1, 1–2, and 2–10 mm)

November

0–1

0.40

Virus = 1.7 Prok + 1.6 × 10¹⁰

< 0.001

1–2

0.38

Virus = 2.5 Prok + 1.4 × 10¹⁰

< 0.001

2–10

0.90

Virus = 2.8 Prok + 0.1 × 10¹⁰

< 0.0001

April

0–1

0.02

Virus = 2.8 Prok + 1.9 × 10¹⁰

n.s.

1–2

0.81

Virus = 2.2 Prok + 0.2 × 10¹⁰

< 0.001

2–10

0.70

Virus = 3.4 Prok − 1.0 × 10¹⁰

< 0.0001

July

0–1

0.61

Virus = 2.6 Prok + 0.6 × 10¹⁰

< 0.05

1–2

0.97

Virus = 4.8 Prok − 1.5 × 10¹⁰

< 0.0001

2–10

0.75

Virus = 1.3 Prok − 0.1 × 10¹⁰

< 0.0001