Trophodynamics in marine ecology: 70 years after Lindeman

The seminal work of Lindeman (1942), 'The trophic-dynamic aspect of ecology' (Ecology 23:399), has been an important starting point for the holistic view of ecosystem tropho - dynamics, but it was initially seldom applied to marine ecosystems. Over the past 70 years, research on marine trophodynamics has become more widespread, producing a variety of analyt- ical methods, and increasing our understanding of marine ecosystem functioning. Yet difficulties remain in transforming this body of knowledge into operational management of marine ecosys- tems and marine resources. This Theme Section on 'Trophodynamics in marine ecology' docu- ments recent advances and lessons learned over the past 70 years, and provides an opportunity to reflect on future directions for marine research.