The CBIOMES Workshop on Modeling Primary Production was held from March 4 to 6, 2025, at the Simons Foundation in New York City.
by Helen Hill for CBIOMES
In this, the seventh in a series of CBIOMES small-group workshops, members from across the collaboration came together to take a three-day deep dive into the complexities of modeling marine primary production.
The primary objectives of the workshop were to address several critical challenges in the field. These included understanding and reconciling differences between ecosystem simulations and models used to interpret remotely sensed data, examining the influence of community composition on primary production, and identifying tipping points in marine primary productivity.
Participants engaged in a variety of activities throughout the workshop, including formal presentations, breakout sessions, hands-on training, and open discussions. The topics covered were diverse and included the history and theory of primary production, data utilization, model parameterization, as well as statistical methods for gap-filling.
On the first day, the workshop began with a welcome and overview session, followed by discussions on the big questions of the day. Presentations covered topics such as light in the ocean relevant for primary production, methods of directly measuring primary productivity, and satellite-based remote sensing models. The day concluded with hands-on activities and a plenary discussion.
The second day of the workshop included sessions on the history of primary production models, the need for a variety of models, and available data used in primary production calculations. Participants again engaged in hands-on activities and group discussions, focusing on practical applications and collaborative work.
The final day featured discussions on parameter estimation, statistical methods, and machine learning ideas for primary production. The workshop concluded with groups developing synthesis reports and a plenary discussion of some preliminary outcomes from the meeting and future directions.
Overall, the CBIOMES Workshop on Modeling Primary Production successfully fostered collaboration and enhanced understanding of primary production modeling. The event addressed contemporary issues such as climate impacts and model uncertainties, providing valuable insights and practical experience for all participants.
Special thanks to all our plenary speakers, Shubha Sathyendranath (PML), Chris Edwards (UCSC), Gemma Kulk (PML), Bob Brewin (U. Exeter, UK), Stephanie Dutkiewicz (MIT), Joe Vallino (MBL), Kathy Qi (UW), Žarko Kovač (U. Split, Croatia), Greg Britten (WHOI), Bror Jönsson (UNH), Mohammad Amirian Matlob (Dal., Canada), Mick Follows (MIT), Mohammad AshKezari (UW, remotely via Zoom), Paul Mattern (UCSC, remotely via Zoom), Sangwon Hyun (UCSC), Kevin began (UH), and Nathan Williams (USC); organizers Shubha Sathyendranath, Žarko Kovač, Chris Edwards, and Paul Mattern; everyone who contributed to the notebooks and other materials used during the breakout sessions, and, of course, to the generosity of the Simons Foundation for underwriting this activity.
Story Image: Attendees of the CBIOMES Workshop on Primary Productivity, NY March 2025 – image credit: H. Hill
March 2025 CBIOMES Workshop on Primary Productivity: Plenary recordings, agenda, attendee list (restricted)