Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Search for citing articles in:
ISI Web of Science (8)
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Flynn, K. J.
Right arrow Articles by Fasham, M. J. R.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Flynn, K. J.
Right arrow Articles by Fasham, M. J. R.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Journal of Plankton Research Vol.25 no.1 pp.83-92, 2003
© Oxford University Press 2003

Operation of light–dark cycles within simple ecosystem models of primary production and the consequences of using phytoplankton models with different abilities to assimilate N in darkness

Kevin J. Flynn* and Michael J. R. Fasham1,

Ecology Research Unit, University of Wales Swansea, Singleton Park, Swansea Sa2 8pp and 1 Southampton Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton So14 3zh, UK

* Corresponding Author: k.j.flynn{at}swansea.ac.uk

We compare the output of a nitrogen–phytoplankton–zooplankton (NPZ) model and of a hypothetical diatom–flagellate competition scenario operating in continuous light or in a diurnal light–dark cycle of equal daily photon dose. Within these models, phytoplankton were configured with contrasting abilities to assimilate nitrogen in darkness. If only a single phytoplankton group is being considered then it appears unnecessary to describe the diurnal light cycle. However, given the minimal additional processing time required to include the light cycle when running complex biological models, inclusion is recommended where model output is used to provide an insight into the behaviour of the organisms and food webs. This is particularly so for considering temporal variations in the use of ammonium and nitrate (pertaining to the f ratio for new production) by different phytoplankton groups and hence the interaction between these organisms and their zooplankton predators that regenerate ammonium. In that instance it is important to endow the phytoplankton model with a capacity for dark N assimilation commensurate with the type of organism (namely diatom or non-diatom) being considered. Such different capabilities likely affect competition and succession of these groups in nature and do affect these interactions in simulations.


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J PLANKTON RESHome page
G. A. Sinclair and D. Kamykowski
Benthic-pelagic coupling in sediment-associated populations of Karenia brevis
J. Plankton Res., July 1, 2008; 30(7): 829 - 838.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J PLANKTON RESHome page
A. Nicklisch, T. Shatwell, and J. Kohler
Analysis and modelling of the interactive effects of temperature and light on phytoplankton growth and relevance for the spring bloom
J. Plankton Res., January 1, 2008; 30(1): 75 - 91.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J PLANKTON RESHome page
M. Ragni and M. R. d'Alcala
Circadian variability in the photobiology of Phaeodactylum tricornutum: pigment content
J. Plankton Res., February 1, 2007; 29(2): 141 - 156.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J PLANKTON RESHome page
K. J. Flynn
Castles built on sand: dysfunctionality in plankton models and the inadequacy of dialogue between biologists and modellers
J. Plankton Res., December 1, 2005; 27(12): 1205 - 1210.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J PLANKTON RESHome page
K. Weston, L. Fernand, D. K. Mills, R. Delahunty, and J. Brown
Primary production in the deep chlorophyll maximum of the central North Sea
J. Plankton Res., September 1, 2005; 27(9): 909 - 922.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.