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Global photosynthetic capacity is optimized to the environment.

ABSTRACT: Earth system models (ESMs) use photosynthetic capacity, indexed by the maximum Rubisco carboxylation rate (Vcmax ), to simulate carbon assimilation and typically rely on empirical estimates, including an assumed dependence on leaf nitrogen determined from soil fertility. In contrast, new theory, based on biochemical coordination and co-optimization of carboxylation and water costs for photosynthesis, suggests that optimal Vcmax can be predicted from climate alone, irrespective of soil fertility. Here, we develop this theory and find it captures 64% of observed variability in a global, field-measured Vcmax dataset for C3 plants. Soil fertility indices explained substantially less variation (32%). These results indicate that environmentally regulated biophysical constraints and light availability are the first-order drivers of global photosynthetic capacity. Through acclimation and adaptation, plants efficiently utilize resources at the leaf level, thus maximizing potential resource use for growth and reproduction. Our theory offers a robust strategy for dynamically predicting photosynthetic capacity in ESMs.

SUBMITTER: Smith NG

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6849754 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Global photosynthetic capacity is optimized to the environment.

Smith Nicholas G NG Keenan Trevor F TF Colin Prentice I I Wang Han H Wright Ian J IJ Niinemets Ülo Ü Crous Kristine Y KY Domingues Tomas F TF Guerrieri Rossella R Yoko Ishida F F Kattge Jens J Kruger Eric L EL Maire Vincent V Rogers Alistair A Serbin Shawn P SP Tarvainen Lasse L Togashi Henrique F HF Townsend Philip A PA Wang Meng M Weerasinghe Lasantha K LK Zhou Shuang-Xi SX

Ecology letters 20190104 3

Earth system models (ESMs) use photosynthetic capacity, indexed by the maximum Rubisco carboxylation rate (V<sub>cmax</sub> ), to simulate carbon assimilation and typically rely on empirical estimates, including an assumed dependence on leaf nitrogen determined from soil fertility. In contrast, new theory, based on biochemical coordination and co-optimization of carboxylation and water costs for photosynthesis, suggests that optimal V<sub>cmax</sub> can be predicted from climate alone, irrespect ...[more]

PMID: 30609108

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Global photosynthetic capacity is optimized to the environment.

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Global photosynthetic capacity is optimized to the environment.

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