A stoichiometrically derived algal growth model and its global analysis

TL;DR

This paper develops a comprehensive algal growth model that explicitly incorporates light and nutrient limitations, providing insights into how these factors regulate algal dynamics on a global scale.

Contribution

It introduces a novel model that explicitly considers both light and phosphorus limitations, advancing beyond traditional carbon-focused models.

Findings

Light and nutrient availability critically influence algal growth.

The model reveals conditions leading to different algal population dynamics.

Global analysis highlights key factors controlling algal productivity.

Abstract

Organisms are composed of multiple chemical elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. The scarcity of any of these elements can severely restrict organismal and population growth. However, many trophic interaction models only consider carbon limitation via energy flow. In this paper, we construct an algal growth model with the explicit incorporation of light and nutrient availability to characterize both carbon and phosphorus limitations. We provide a global analysis of this model to illustrate how light and nutrient availability regulate algal dynamics.