Background
Trait-based approaches are emerging as hot ideas of how to model phytoplankton, zooplankton, and fish communities.
The trait-based approach allows us to tackle the complexity of marine ecosystems in simple models.Rather than considering species per se, individual organisms are characterized by a few essential traits that describe the ensemble properties of the many species.
Further simplifying principles can be derived because individuals optimize their fitness, which is the principle by which properties of communities and ecosystems emerge.
Purpose
The purpose of workshops is to review state of the art, spur discussions and develop new ideas of trait based approaches in marine ecology and to define future research avenues through the gathering of active researchers in the field.