Modeling primary production: Developing the BZI model from the production-irradiance (P-I) curves

Detong Sun, Peter H. Doering and Edward J. Phlips

Ecological Modelling, 2021, vol. 458, issue C

Abstract: The linearity of the BZI (biomass, photic depth and irradiance) regression model for the estimate of depth-integrated primary productivity in the water column is evaluated. It is shown that the linear model can be derived from traditional production-irradiance (P-I) curves by assuming a linear production-irradiance relationship. A correction tem is obtained for water depth shallower than the photic depth. The analysis revealed that the slope of the linear BZI model is determined by the slope of the P-I curve. Following similar steps and assumptions, some of the well-known nonlinear light functions such as Steele's function, Smith's function and the Monod function were analytically integrated yielding nonlinear BZI models which go through the origin naturally allowing zero productivity at zero light. The nonlinear model integrated from Steele's function was successfully applied to three subtropical estuaries in Florida: the St. Lucie Estuary on the east coast, the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary and the Escambia Bay on the west coast. Despite being more faithful to theory (zero intercept), the non-linear version yielded only slightly better results than the linear model.

Keywords: Primary production; BZI model; Light functions; Photic depth; Subtropical (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ecomod:v:458:y:2021:i:c:s0304380021002623

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2021.109707

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