Experimental ecology and the balance between realism and feasibility in aquatic ecosystems

Experimental research, ranging from fully-controlled laboratory experiments to semi-controlled field manipulations, enhances our understanding of the mechanisms underlying natural dynamics and species responses to global change. These approaches, many of which were first developed in aquatic systems, have laid the foundations for modern ecological work. In this Perspective, we discuss how aquatic experimental ecology has shaped the field of ecology and how modern experimental ecology has contributed to our understanding of ecological dynamics under changing conditions in aquatic systems. We also highlight the challenges experimental ecologists must overcome in the near future as we seek to predict and mitigate the effects of global change. We argue that many of the challenges we currently face can be overcome by embracing multidimensional ecological experiments, moving beyond classical model organisms, including environmental variability, integrating across disciplinary boundaries and using novel technologies.