Simulating plankton ecosystems by the Lagrangian Ensemble method

Understanding the plankton ecosystem in the ocean requires detailed demographic analysis. It is impossible to sample the ocean adequately for such analysis, but progress can be made by analysing data sets generated by mathematical models provided they realistically simulate the ecosystem. The Lagrangian Ensemble method is well suited to demographic studies because it generates large data sets containing complete information on all the families living in the simulated ecosystem. It provides audit trails of individual families for unambiguous analysis of mechanisms responsible for the simulated changes in community and environment. Recent papers based on the Lagrangian Ensemble method are reviewed.