OCB Scoping Workshop: Improving predictive biogeochemical models through single cell-based analyses of marine plankton physiological plasticity, genetic diversity and evolutionary processes

Scientific Steering Committee

Chair: Mike Lomas, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Science

Stephanie Dutkiewicz, MIT

Steve Giovannoni, Oregon State University

Adrian Marchetti, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Adam Martiny, University of California Irvine

Susanne Neuer, Arizona State University

Ramunas Stepanauskas, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Science

Allison Taylor, University North Carolina – Wilmington

Ben Twining, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Science

Science Themes and Workshop Structure

The focus of this workshop is to synthesize information from single cell methods (e.g., single-cell X-ray fluorescence, NanoSIMS) and methods that resolve discrete populations (e.g., flow cytometric sorting and secondary analyses), identify unique biological traits at these levels, and determine what those traits mean to ocean biogeochemistry now and in the future.  The success of this workshop will come from bringing together scientists with a broad set of skills and points of view, with the overarching focus on the use of single cell-level analyses in ecosystem-level models.

This OCB scoping workshop is focused around two interrelated broad themes:

1) Taxon-specific physiological responses of marine microbes and phytoplankton in the current and a changing environment;

2) Interactions and feedbacks between plankton physiological plasticity and taxonomic diversity and the impact on global ocean biogeochemical cycles

Breakout group discussions will be centered on the following questions:

1) What are the ranges and controls on taxon-specific nutrient uptake rates, elemental quotas and standing stocks?

2) Do taxonomic diversity and physiological plasticity have similar or different impacts on ocean biogeochemistry, particularly the production and export of particulate organic matter from the surface ocean?

3) What roles do taxonomic diversity and physiological plasticity play in governing the response of planktonic communities to environmental stressors, for example, oxygen minimum zones, ocean acidification, ocean warming, stratification and changing nutrient concentrations?

4) What type of single cell-specific and population-level data is required for the mechanistic understanding and predictive modeling of marine biogeochemistry? How does it compare to the data collected now? Can we recommend improvements?

Each breakout group will be tasked with collating information on several points to further enhance the continuity between groups and relationships to the broader themes.  Specifically, each group will 1) summarize current state of knowledge; 2) identify limitations to forward progress on the topic; and 3) describe appropriate and suitable sampling platforms and technologies, and 4) propose strategies for moving the field forward.