CITRATE 1.0: Phytoplankton continuous trait-distribution model with one-dimensional physical transport applied to the North Pacific
Diversity plays critical roles in ecosystem functioning, but it remains challenging to model phytoplankton diversity in order to better understand those roles and reproduce consistently observed diversity patterns in the ocean. In contrast to the typical approach of resolving distinct species or...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2018-02-01
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| Series: | Geoscientific Model Development |
| Online Access: | https://www.geosci-model-dev.net/11/467/2018/gmd-11-467-2018.pdf |
| Summary: | Diversity plays critical roles in ecosystem functioning, but it remains
challenging to model phytoplankton diversity in order to better understand
those roles and reproduce consistently observed diversity patterns in the
ocean. In contrast to the typical approach of resolving distinct species or
functional groups, we present a ContInuous TRAiT-basEd phytoplankton model
(CITRATE) that focuses on macroscopic system properties such as total
biomass, mean trait values, and trait variance. This phytoplankton component
is embedded within a nitrogen–phytoplankton-zooplankton–detritus–iron model
that itself is coupled with a simplified one-dimensional ocean model. Size is
used as the master trait for phytoplankton. CITRATE also incorporates <q>trait
diffusion</q> for sustaining diversity and simple representations of
physiological acclimation, i.e., flexible chlorophyll-to-carbon and
nitrogen-to-carbon ratios. We have implemented CITRATE at two contrasting
stations in the North Pacific where several years of observational data are
available. The model is driven by physical forcing including vertical eddy
diffusivity imported from three-dimensional general ocean circulation models
(GCMs). One common set of model parameters for the two stations is optimized
using the Delayed-Rejection Adaptive Metropolis–Hasting Monte Carlo (DRAM)
algorithm. The model faithfully reproduces most of the observed patterns and
gives robust predictions on phytoplankton mean size and size diversity.
CITRATE is suitable for applications in GCMs and constitutes a prototype upon
which more sophisticated continuous trait-based models can be developed. |
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| ISSN: | 1991-959X 1991-9603 |