An Operational Framework for the Advancement of a Molecule-to-Biosphere Stoichiometry Theory

• Published in: Frontiers in Marine Science Vol. 4
• Main Authors: Cherif, Mehdi, Faithfull, Carolyn, Guo, Junwen, Meunier, Cédric L., Sitters, Judith, Uszko, Wojciech, Rivera Vasconcelos, Francisco
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Frontiers Research Foundation 08-09-2017; Frontiers Media; Frontiers Media S.A
• Subjects: Biodiversity and Ecology; Biogeochemical cycle; Biogeochemical cycles; Biogeochemistry; biological organization; biological stoichiometry; Biosphere; Carbon; Chemical elements; consumer-driven nutrient recycling; ecological theory; Ecology; Environmental Sciences; Frameworks; Genomes; growth-rate hypothesis; Hypotheses; light:nutrient hypothesis; Macroevolution; Man-induced effects; Nitrogen; Phosphorus; Stoichiometry; Theories; theory integration; Netherlands; growth-rate hypothesis; biological stoichiometry; biological organization; ecological theory; theory integration; consumer-driven nutrient recycling; light:nutrient hypothesis
• ISSN: 2296-7745; 2296-7745
• DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2017.00286

Biological stoichiometry is an approach that focuses on the balance of elements in biological interactions. It is a theory that has the potential to causally link material processes at all biological levels – from molecules to the biosphere. But the lack of a coherent operational framework has so far restricted progress in this direction. Here, we provide a framework to help infer how a stoichiometric imbalance observed at one level impacts all other biological levels. Our framework enables us to high the areas of the theory in need of completion, development and integration at all biological levels. Our hope is that this framework will contribute to the building of a more predictive theory of elemental transfers within the biosphere, and thus, to a better understanding of human-induced perturbations to the global biogeochemical cycles.