The ADAM Project
The ADaptive Archaean Model (ADAM) is a redevelopment of the Flask model of microbial evolution that seeks to capture the marine biogeochemistry of the Archaean period. We use a stripped down version of the major chemical processes and metabolic functions derived from what is known of this period in Earth history. The Archaean was chosen for its relative biological and biogeochemical simplicity compared to later periods – a good starting point for future adaptive models of the modern ocean! The goal of the project is initially to construct a minimal self-sustaining ecosystem. Future aims will be to study the regulation of ocean chemistry and the adaptive response of the biota to various external forcings.
The ADAM team currently consists of Jim Clark, Tim Lenton, Andy Watson, Hywel Williams, Stuart Daines and Martin Johnson.