Multiple environmental controls on phytoplankton growth strategies determine adaptive responses of the N : P ratio. (12th January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Daines, Stuart J.; Clark, James R.; Lenton, Timothy M.; Grover, James
• Is Part Of: Ecology letters. Volume 17:Number 4(2014:Apr.)
• Page Start: 414
• Page End: 425
• Publication Date: 2014-01-12
• Subjects: Ecology -- Periodicals; 577
• DOI: 10.1111/ele.12239
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1461-023X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="ele12239-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>The controls on the 'Redfield' N : P stoichiometry of marine phytoplankton and hence the N : P ratio of the deep ocean remain incompletely understood. Here, we use a model for phytoplankton ecophysiology and growth, based on functional traits and resource‐allocation trade‐offs, to show how environmental filtering, biotic interactions, and element cycling in a global ecosystem model determine phytoplankton biogeography, growth strategies and macromolecular composition. Emergent growth strategies capture major observed patterns in marine biomes. Using a new synthesis of experimental RNA and protein measurements to constrain per‐ribosome translation rates, we determine a spatially variable lower limit on adaptive rRNA:protein allocation and hence on the relationship between the largest cellular P and N pools. Comparison with the lowest observed phytoplankton N : P ratios and N : P export fluxes in the Southern Ocean suggests that additional contributions from phospholipid and phosphorus storage compounds play a fundamental role in determining the marine biogeochemical cycling of these elements.</p> </abstract>