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Mechanisms underlying leaf photosynthetic acclimation to warming and elevated CO 2 as inferred from least‐cost optimality theory

Journal Article · · Global Change Biology
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.15212· OSTI ID:1637229
 [1];  [2]
  1. Department of Biological Sciences Texas Tech University Lubbock TX USA, Climate and Ecosystem Sciences Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Berkeley CA USA
  2. Climate and Ecosystem Sciences Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Berkeley CA USA, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management UC Berkeley Berkeley CA USA
Abstract

The mechanisms responsible for photosynthetic acclimation are not well understood, effectively limiting predictability under future conditions. Least‐cost optimality theory can be used to predict the acclimation of photosynthetic capacity based on the assumption that plants maximize carbon uptake while minimizing the associated costs. Here, we use this theory as a null model in combination with multiple datasets of C 3 plant photosynthetic traits to elucidate the mechanisms underlying photosynthetic acclimation to elevated temperature and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). The model‐data comparison showed that leaves decrease the ratio of the maximum rate of electron transport to the maximum rate of Rubisco carboxylation ( J max / V cmax ) under higher temperatures. The comparison also indicated that resources used for Rubisco and electron transport are reduced under both elevated temperature and CO 2 . Finally, our analysis suggested that plants underinvest in electron transport relative to carboxylation under elevated CO 2 , limiting potential leaf‐level photosynthesis under future CO 2 concentrations. Altogether, our results show that acclimation to temperature and CO 2 is primarily related to resource conservation at the leaf level. Under future, warmer, high CO 2 conditions, plants are therefore likely to use less nutrients for leaf‐level photosynthesis, which may impact whole‐plant to ecosystem functioning.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
1637229
Journal Information:
Global Change Biology, Journal Name: Global Change Biology Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 26; ISSN 1354-1013
Publisher:
Wiley-BlackwellCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English

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