Ocean paleoproductivity

Although ocean productivity is very important for understanding the operation of the global carbon cycle at present and in the past, reconstruction of past ocean productivity patterns using empirical relations derived from present-day ocean characteristics is not a trivial undertaking. Each one of the proxies (methods) developed so far, although it contributes to our overall knowledge, has important limitations and therefore the best approach is to use multiple proxies (Figure O22). Critical evaluation of the validity of assumptions associated with each existing proxy and development of additional proxies will result in more robust reconstructions of paleoproductivity and understanding of the coupling and feedbacks between productivity, tectonics, and climate.