Can we reach consensus between marine ecological models and DEB theory? A look at primary producers

• We compare the models for primary producers in ERSEM and DEB.
• The state variables and processes of ERSEM were rethinked with no impact on results.
• A set of choices were made to construct a DEB model as close to ERSEM as possible.
• Links between ERSEM and DEB were established allowing for transfer of parameters.
• The mismatch of supply and demand driven processes remains irreconcilable features.

In the last decades we have witnessed an explosion in marine modeling efforts, both at the development and application levels. A general agreement is expected between ecological models and metabolic theories, and one should be able to use ideas and principles from both views. Nevertheless, there are marked differences that can vary from differences in formulation of processes to baseline assumptions. So far, efforts to reconcile these models of natural systems have been limited. Here, we critically compare ERSEM (European Regional Seas Ecosystem Model), a state of the art ecological model in marine biogeochemical modeling, with a DEB (Dynamic Energy Budget) model (based on the metabolic theory DEB), highlighting similarities and showing where the approaches differ. This study focuses on primary producers and is driven by two main questions: (1) Is it possible to harmonize the philosophy and structure of models like ERSEM with the general scope of unifying metabolic theories such as DEB? (2) Can we bring the current paradigms in ecological modeling for marine communities to consensus with metabolic theories?We analyze the links between the underling processes in the DEB and ERSEM models. We found that the processes of assimilation and mobilization are the most difficult to reconcile between the two models. However, we also find a number of clear analogies between the parameters, state variables and fluxes of the two models, which allow for the transference of knowledge between them.

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