An experimentalist's approach to global limnology: filling the gaps in process understanding of large-scale organic matter transformations (invited)

Research output: Contribution to conferenceAbstract

Abstract

In the classical plenary lecture ‘Global limnology’ (J.A. Downing, 2007, SIL in Montréal), a new holistic direction for freshwater science was pointed out, focused at upscaling of limnological processes to planet Earth. Since then, the literature on the global importance of freshwater networks, especially as routes for carbon degassing, burial and transport, has grown explosively. This has been reflected in increased use of large-scale models, intensified collection of field survey data and in a revival of holistic concepts such as the River continuum. However, I here argue that the field has come to a point where mechanistic understanding of basic ecosystem processes again is limiting the development. Recent experimental work on bacterial and photochemical degradation processes is used to exemplify how small-scale reductionist studies can fundamentally challenge the picture painted by current large-scale models, especially with respect to the reactivity of dissolved organic matter along the land-sea continuum. Finally, I discuss how the apparent antagonism between holistic and reductionist studies can be overcome by efforts to better represent mechanistic process understanding in models.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages1
Publication statusPublished - 2016
EventASLO Summer meeting, 2016 - Santa Fé, United States, Santa Fé, United States
Duration: 2016 Jun 52016 Jun 10

Conference

ConferenceASLO Summer meeting, 2016
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySanta Fé
Period2016/06/052016/06/10

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Earth and Related Environmental Sciences

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