Comparison between two mathematical formulations of the phytoplankton specific growth rate as a function of light and temperature, in two simulation models (Aster & Yoyo)

Two simulation methods, that enable calculation of the specific growth rate of phytoplankton as a function of light and temperature, are compared. The first one simulates phytoplankton at a seasonal scale. The module describes the combined effects of these two factors; in this case, the parameters of the g(I) function are expressed in terms of temperature. The second method simulates the vertical migration of cyanobacteria at a daily scale. This implies to detail the photosynthesis process: carbon fixation as a function of light and synthesis of cell material depending on temperature. These models illustrate two ways of representation of a same mechanism, where the two time and description scales of the processes aim at different objectives. In terms of specific growth rate, results obtained by both models are highly comparable.