AUTHOR=Acevedo-Trejos Esteban , Cadier Mathilde , Chakraborty Subhendu , Chen Bingzhang , Cheung Shun Yan , Grigoratou Maria , Guill Christian , Hassenrück Christiane , Kerimoglu Onur , Klauschies Toni , Lindemann Christian , Palacz Artur , Ryabov Alexey , Scotti Marco , Smith S. Lan , Våge Selina , Prowe Friederike TITLE=Modelling approaches for capturing plankton diversity (MODIV), their societal applications and data needs JOURNAL=Frontiers in Marine Science VOLUME=9 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2022.975414 DOI=10.3389/fmars.2022.975414 ISSN=2296-7745 ABSTRACT=

Ecosystem models need to capture biodiversity, because it is a fundamental determinant of food web dynamics and consequently of the cycling of energy and matter in ecosystems. In oceanic food webs, the plankton compartment encompasses by far most of the biomass and diversity. Therefore, capturing plankton diversity is paramount for marine ecosystem modelling. In recent years, many models have been developed, each representing different aspects of plankton diversity, but a systematic comparison remains lacking. Here we present established modelling approaches to study plankton ecology and diversity, discussing the limitations and strengths of each approach. We emphasize their different spatial and temporal resolutions and consider the potential of these approaches as tools to address societal challenges. Finally, we make suggestions as to how better integration of field and experimental data with modelling could advance understanding of both plankton biodiversity specifically and more broadly the response of marine ecosystems to environmental change, including climate change.