ORCID
- Thomas Davies: 0000-0002-4673-9893
Abstract
Traditional measures of the photic zone have remained focused on autotrophs, limiting understanding of how changing marine lightscapes impact heterotrophs that use light as a resource or an environmental cue. We propose a new photic zone definition that encompasses all biological processes influenced by celestial light, and a new measure of photic zone depth, the minimum light intensity that elicits biological responses. This approach allows photic zone measures to be inclusive of all marine photobiology driven by sunlight, moonlight, or starlight, and enables urgently needed exploration of the nature, extent and ecological implications of changing marine lightscapes.
Publication Date
2025-05-24
Publication Title
Communications Earth & Environment
Volume
6
Issue
1
ISSN
2662-4435
Recommended Citation
Davies, T., & Smyth, T. (2025) 'Redefining the photic zone: beyond the autotroph-centric view of light in the ocean', Communications Earth & Environment, 6(1). Available at: 10.1038/s43247-025-02374-2
