Functional links between bioenergetics and bio-optical traits of phytoplankton taxonomic groups: an overarching hypothesis with applications for ocean colour remote sensing

We review the concept of phytoplankton functional types (PFTs) in marine ecosystems as a means of advancing bio-mechanistic models that can be coupled to the global carbon cycle and the Earth's climate system. Conventional classification of phytoplankton by size may seem arbitrary, but there ap...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Journal of plankton research 2008-02, Vol.30 (2), p.165-181
Main Authors:	Aiken, Jim, Hardman-Mountford, Nick J., Barlow, Ray, Fishwick, James, Hirata, Takafumi, Smyth, Tim
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Animal and plant ecology Animal, plant and microbial ecology Bioenergetics Biogeochemistry Biological and medical sciences Carbon cycle Clines Earth Energy flow Environmental conditions Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology General aspects General aspects. Techniques Light Marine Marine ecosystems Nutrients Nutrients (mineral) Ocean colour Photosynthesis Phytoplankton Picoplankton Remote sensing Survival Synecology Teledetection and vegetation maps
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Summary:	We review the concept of phytoplankton functional types (PFTs) in marine ecosystems as a means of advancing bio-mechanistic models that can be coupled to the global carbon cycle and the Earth's climate system. Conventional classification of phytoplankton by size may seem arbitrary, but there appears clear links between size and environmental characteristics (availability of essential nutrients and light) that regulate photosynthesis, phytoplankton selection and succession. Taking a minimalist approach, small phytoplankton (picoplankton) survive in permanently stratified systems with low nutrients, high surface light and low light in deep clines, whereas large phytoplankton (microplankton) thrive in high nutrient, turbulent, high light, near surface systems. Nutrient-light environmental conditions are characteristic properties of globally, latitudinal-dispersed biogeochemical provinces. These contrasting nutrient-light regimes define the extreme ends of the bio-energetic scale of photosynthesis and set the end points of the primary range of phytoplankton functional processes. To determine PFTs from remotely sensed ocean colour data, there must be a specific bio-optical trait (BOT) that can be associated with the phytoplankton species or taxa. We investigate the connection of the bio-energetic scale to phytoplankton types and their BOTs, which is the first, but crucial step for classifying PFTs on the basis of functional processes, from which refinements and further partitioning can be developed.
ISSN:	0142-7873 1464-3774