🌐 Focus Workshop on Ocean Biogeochemistry

This focus workshop is being organized primarily by and for the ocean biogeochemistry (OBGC) community within natESM, with the aim of taking stock of the current modeling landscape, exploring integration challenges, and strengthening interfaces with other natESM components. As such, input from colleagues working on other core components is very welcome, especially regarding points of coupling and technical compatibility.

To ensure that all relevant perspectives are included—particularly the interfaces with other natESM components—our aim is to create a space where key actors from ocean biogeochemistry and other natESM components can interact directly and collaboratively address integration challenges.

The workshop will take place in person in Hamburg on September 24, 2025, as a full-day event. 

If you have any questions, or would like to contribute a short presentation or other input to the agenda, feel free to reach out at any time. Your perspective would be a valuable addition to the discussions.

Registration is now open! 

Preliminary Agenda: natESM Focus Workshop on Ocean Biogeochemistry

10:00 – Welcome and Introduction

• Welcome by Jochem Marotzke (MPI-M), natESM Co-Chair
• Purpose and structure of natESM and the focus workshop

10:30 – Community Presentations – Ocean Biogeochemistry Modeling

• Judith Hauck and Chris Danek (AWI): Overview of recent and planned developments of REcoM, modeling and observational links
• Tatiana Ilyina (UHH/MPI-M): [To be confirmed] Overview and recent developments in HAMOCC
• Kai Logemann (Hereon): ECOSMO and ECOSMO_E2E: Perspectives and integration challenges
• Andreas Oschlies (GEOMAR): OPEM: Optimality-based non-Redfield Plankton-Ecosystem Model, overview and recent developments
• Nicolas Gruber (ETH Zürich): Why we need more "bio" in high-resolution biogeochemistry modeling
• Thomas Frölicher (University of Bern): tbd

12:00 – Lunch break and informal exchange

13:00 – Open Discussion: Key Integration Challenges (with input from natESM RSEs)

• Introductory presentation: Hendryk Bockelmann (tbc) – Overview of technical integration pathways and interface requirements in natESM
• Technical challenges and opportunities for integration within natESM
• Agreeing on strategies for integration (e.g., potential for consensus on ocean/biogeochemical requirements and approaches)
• Ensuring compatibility and synergies with other natESM components 
• Strategies for a coherent modeling approach across the community

15:30 – Next Steps and Action Items

• Summary of main discussion points and agreements
• Identification of working groups and follow-up actions
• Planning further coordination and communication

15:50 – Closing remarks & wrap-up