Göthlich, Lena (2012) Impacts of variable versus fixed phytoplankton stoichiometry on the dynamics of biogeochemical models = Der Einfluss von variabler versus fixer Phytoplankton-Stöchiometrie auf die Dynamik biogeochemischer Modelle. (PhD/ Doctoral thesis), Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel, Kiel, Germany, 107 pp.

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Abstract

For marine biogeochemical models used in simulations of climate change scenarios, the ability to account for adaptability of marine ecosystems to environmental change is crucial. Biogeochemical models commonly include a single all--encompassing phytoplankton that does not exhibit any physiological flexibility, e.g. in stoichiometry. Hence, dynamics emerging from adaptation can not be simulated. As an alternative, more adaptive models exist that (1) increase physiological detail, or (2) resolve communities. Both approaches are investigated in this thesis, particularly with respect to the representation of phytoplankton elemental composition and its effect on model performance. It is shown that fixed phytoplankton stoichiometry impedes the adaptive potential of per se adaptive models. Consequently, allowing for stoichiometric variation provides a means of significantly improving model capabilities.

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