MODELING THE MICROBIAL FOOD-WEB

Models of the microbial food web have their origin in the debate over the importance of bacteria as an energetic subsidy for higher trophic levels leading to harvestable fisheries. Conceptualization of the micr obial food web preceded numerical models by 10-15 years. Pomeroy's wor k was central to both efforts. Elements necessary for informative and comprehensive models of microbial loops in plankton communities includ e coupled carbon and nitrogen flows utilizing a size-based approach to structuring and parameterizing the food web. Realistic formulation of nitrogen flows requires recognition that both nitrogenous and nonnitr ogenous organic matter are important substrates for bacteria. Nitrogen regeneration driven by simple mass-specific excretion constants seems to overestimate the role of bacteria in the regeneration process. Qua ntitative assessment of the link-sink question, in which the original loop models are grounded, requires sophisticated analysis of size-base d trophic structures. The effects of recycling complicate calculation of the link between bacteria or dissolved organic matter and mesozoopl ankton, and indirect effects show that the link might be much stronger than simple analyses have suggested. Examples drawn from a series of oceanic mixed layer plankton models are used to illustrate some of the se points. Single-size class models related to traditional P-Z-N appro aches are incapable of simulating bacterial biomass cycles in some loc ations (e.g., Bermuda) but appear to be adequate for more strongly sea sonal regimes at higher latitudes.