Abstract John Steele (1926–2013) is remembered for his ecosystem modelling studies on the role of biological interactions and environment on the structure and function of marine ecosystems, including consequences for fish production and fisheries management. Here, we provide a scientific tribute to Steele focusing on, by means of example, his modelling of plankton predation [Steele and Henderson (1992) The role of predation in plankton models. J. Plankton Res., 14, 157–172] that showed that differences in ecosystem dynamics between the subarctic Pacific and North Atlantic oceans can be explained solely on the basis of zooplankton mortality. The study highlights Steele’s artistry in simplifying the system to a tractable minimal model while paying great attention to the precise functional forms used to parameterize mortality, grazing and other biological processes. The success of this and other works by Steele was in large part due to his effective communication with the rest of the scientific community (especially non-modellers) resulting from his enthusiasm, use of an experiment-like (hypothesis driven) approach to applying his models and by describing simplifications and assumptions in scrupulous detail. We also intend our contribution to remember Steele as the consummate gentleman, notably his humble, behind-the-scenes attitude, his humour and his dedication to enhancing the careers of others.

中文翻译：

---

记住约翰斯蒂尔和他的模型来理解海洋生态系统的结构和功能

摘要 John Steele (1926–2013) 因其生态系统建模研究而闻名，该研究涉及生物相互作用和环境对海洋生态系统结构和功能的作用，包括对鱼类生产和渔业管理的影响。在这里，我们向 Steele 提供了科学的致敬，重点是通过示例，他对浮​​游生物捕食的建模 [Steele 和 Henderson (1992) 捕食在浮游生物模型中的作用。J. Plankton Res., 14, 157-172] 表明亚北极太平洋和北大西洋海洋之间生态系统动力学的差异可以完全根据浮游动物死亡率来解释。该研究突出了斯蒂尔将系统简化为易于处理的最小模型的艺术性，同时非常关注用于参数化死亡率的精确函数形式，放牧和其他生物过程。斯蒂尔的这部作品和其他作品的成功在很大程度上归功于他与科学界其他人（尤其是非建模者）的有效沟通，这源于他的热情，使用类似实验（假设驱动）的方法来应用他的模型，并通过详细描述简化和假设。我们还打算通过我们的贡献来记住斯蒂尔作为一位完美的绅士，特别是他谦逊的幕后态度、幽默和他对提升他人事业的奉献精神。使用类似实验（假设驱动）的方法来应用他的模型，并详细描述简化和假设。我们还打算通过我们的贡献来记住斯蒂尔作为一位完美的绅士，特别是他谦逊的幕后态度、幽默和他对提升他人事业的奉献精神。使用类似实验（假设驱动）的方法来应用他的模型，并详细描述简化和假设。我们还打算通过我们的贡献来记住斯蒂尔作为一位完美的绅士，特别是他谦逊的幕后态度、幽默和他对提升他人事业的奉献精神。