Seasonal photoadaptation and diatom dynamics in temperate waters

Using a fully depth-resolved nutrient-phytoplankton model we investigate th e influence that photoadaptive responses may have upon the seasonal dynamic s of diatoms in the subtropical waters to the east of New Zealand. The wint ertime diatom standing stocks can differ by up to 2 orders of magnitude dep ending upon the form of photoadaptive response assumed. As a consequence of this difference in wintertime stocks, the timing of the spring bloom varie s by almost 1 mo. The spring bloom is terminated by N limitation rather tha n by Si limitation.