Do we need complex mechanistic photoacclimation models for phytoplankton?

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Abstract
The outputs of simple models relating phytoplankton growth and chlorophyll a (Chl a) to irradiance and nutrient (nitrogen [N] and/or iron [Fe]) availability are compared with those of complex mechanistic models. Mechanistic models, which are significantly more expensive in computational terms, are required for a proper description of high‐resolution dynamics of light acclimation with or without changes in nutrient status (for example, with diurnal light—dark periodicity or Fe fertilization). However, for instances in which such detailed descriptions of growth and Chl : carbon (C) are not required, there appears to be no justification for using mechanistic models to simulate nutrient—light interaction. Multinutrient models based on modified quota—type models, coupled with a simple photosynthesis—irradiance growth rate equation and an empirically derived Chl a :C relationship linking irradiance to growth rate, should be adequate for most oceanographic modeling scenarios.

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