Seasonal,Diurnal and Vertical Variation of Chlorophyll Fluorescence on Phyllostachys humilis in Ireland

In recent years, temperate bamboo species have been introduced in Europe not only as an ornamental plant, but also as a new biomass crop. To measure adaptation stress of bamboo to the climate of Western Europe, chlorophyll fluorescence was measured on a diurnal and seasonal basis in Ballyboughal, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Measurements were attained on the leaves of each node of Phyllostachys humilis. The most frequently used parameter in chlorophyll fluorescence is the photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm). A seasonal dip - as well as a larger variation - of Fv/Fm in spring compared to the rest of the year was observed. Over the year, the upper leaves of the plant perform better than the bottom leaves. These findings were linked to environmental factors such as light intensity, air temperature and precipitation, as increased light intensities, decreasing air temperatures and their interactions, also with precipitation levels have an effect on the photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm) in these plants.     

基因转录介导同质园条件下拟南芥不同地理种群的光合能力分化

不同环境条件决定着植物光合能力的多态性,但在相同环境条件下同种植物不同种群间表现出光合能力分化的内在机制仍不清楚,本文旨在揭示同质园条件下欧洲拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)不同地理种群光合能力的分化以及其基因转录调控机制。在同质园条件下,测定来自欧洲不同气候区的23个拟南芥的地理种群的气体交换参数、叶绿素荧光参数及SPAD值综合比较其光合能力差异。另外,根据测定结果选取光合能力差异的典型种群,利用实时定量PCR技术对光合相关基因表达水平进行验证。比较研究发现欧洲不同气候区拟南芥的地理种群间的气体交换参数差异较大,其中净光合速率的变化范围为2～11μmol·m^-2·s^-1;而叶绿素荧光参数变异幅度较小,变异幅度几乎不超过10%。聚类分析表明23个拟南芥种群被分为强光合能力和弱光合能力2组,强光合种群主要分布在中欧和西欧地区,净光合速率平均为7.37μmol·m^-2·s^-1;而弱光合种群则主要分布在东欧和南欧,净光合速率平均为4.46μmol·m^-2·s     

A review on the FvCB biochemical model of photosynthesis and the measurement of A-Ci curves

The biochemical model of photosynthesis proposed by Farquhar, von Caemmerer and Berry is a CO₂ response model based on photosynthetic processes. It hypothesizes that leaf CO₂ assimilation rate (A) of C₃ plants is decided by the minimum of three biochemical processes: the carboxylation rate supported by ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco), the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) regeneration rate supported by electron transport and the triose-phosphate (TP) use rate. Fitting leaf CO₂ assimilation rate versus intercellular CO₂ concentration (A-C_i) curves with the modified FvCB model could provide several important biochemical parameters, including maximum Rubisco carboxylation rate, maximum rate of electron transport, TP use rate, day respiration rate and mesophyll conductance. The FvCB model has greatly improved our understanding and prediction of plant photosynthetic physiology and its response to environmental changes. In this review, we firstly described the FvCB model, and analysed the characteristics of this model: segmentation and overparameterization. We reviewed the estimation of biochemical parameters which by fitting A-C_i curves with the FvCB model. The biochemical parameters were estimated previously by segmenting subjectively and fitting each limitation state separately, whereas now by segmenting objectively and fitting all limitation simultaneously. In comparison to the previously conventional ordinary least squares (OLS), terativgorithms (eg. Genetic Algorithm, Simulated Annealing Algorithm) based on the modern computer technology are now in common use. However, to further improve the reliability and the precision of the parameters estimation, more studies about Rubisco kinetics parameters and their temperature dependence are needed. In the end, to obtain efficient photosynthetic data for biochemical parameters estimation, we integrated and modified methods concerning the measurement of A-C_i curves according to current knowledge about FvCB model fitting. We expect this review would advance our understanding and application of the FvCB model and A-C_i curves.     

Plantecophys - An R Package for Analysing and Modelling Leaf Gas Exchange Data

Here I present the R package ''plantecophys'', a toolkit to analyse and model leaf gas exchange data. Measurements of leaf photosynthesis and transpiration are routinely collected with portable gas exchange instruments, and analysed with a few key models. These models include the Farquhar-von Caemmerer-Berry (FvCB) model of leaf photosynthesis, the Ball-Berry models of stomatal conductance, and the coupled leaf gas exchange model which combines the supply and demand functions for CO₂ in the leaf. The ''plantecophys'' R package includes functions for fitting these models to measurements, as well as simulating from the fitted models to aid in interpreting experimental data. Here I describe the functionality and implementation of the new package, and give some examples of its use. I briefly describe functions for fitting the FvCB model of photosynthesis to measurements of photosynthesis-CO₂ response curves (''A-C_i curves''), fitting Ball-Berry type models, modelling C3 photosynthesis with the coupled photosynthesis-stomatal conductance model, modelling C4 photosynthesis, numerical solution of optimal stomatal behaviour, and energy balance calculations using the Penman-Monteith equation. This open-source package makes technically challenging calculations easily accessible for many users and is freely available on CRAN.     

Leaf photosynthesis and respiration of three bioenergy crops in relation to temperature and leaf nitrogen: how conserved are biochemical model parameters among crop species?

Given the need for parallel increases in food and energy production from crops in the context of global change, crop simulation models and data sets to feed these models with photosynthesis and respiration parameters are increasingly important. This study provides information on photosynthesis and respiration for three energy crops (sunflower, kenaf, and cynara), reviews relevant information for five other crops (wheat, barley, cotton, tobacco, and grape), and assesses how conserved photosynthesis parameters are among crops. Using large data sets and optimization techniques, the C(3) leaf photosynthesis model of Farquhar, von Caemmerer, and Berry (FvCB) and an empirical night respiration model for tested energy crops accounting for effects of temperature and leaf nitrogen were parameterized. Instead of the common approach of using information on net photosynthesis response to CO(2) at the stomatal cavity (A(n)-C(i)), the model was parameterized by analysing the photosynthesis response to incident light intensity (A(n)-I(inc)). Convincing evidence is provided that the maximum Rubisco carboxylation rate or the maximum electron transport rate was very similar whether derived from A(n)-C(i) or from A(n)-I(inc) data sets. Parameters characterizing Rubisco limitation, electron transport limitation, the degree to which light inhibits leaf respiration, night respiration, and the minimum leaf nitrogen required for photosynthesis were then determined. Model predictions were validated against independent sets. Only a few FvCB parameters were conserved among crop species, thus species-specific FvCB model parameters are needed for crop modelling. Therefore, information from readily available but underexplored A(n)-I(inc) data should be re-analysed, thereby expanding the potential of combining classical photosynthetic data and the biochemical model.     

4个观赏竹种的光合特性及其影响因子分析

本研究以白纹阴阳竹( Hibanobambusa tranquillans f. shiroshima H. Okamura )、鼓节竹( Bambusa tul doides‘Swolleninternode')、花秆早竹( Phyllostachys violascens f. viridisulcata P. X. Zhang et W. X. Huang)和美丽箬竹(Indocalamus decorus Q. H. Dai)4个观赏竹种为供试材料,分析了各竹种的光响应和CO2响应曲线及参数、光合和气体交换参数以及相关环境因子的日变化规律,并通过相关性分析、逐步多元回归分析和通径分析探讨了影响4个竹种叶片净光合速率( Pn)的主要因子。测定结果表明：随光合有效辐射强度( PAR)或胞间CO2浓度( Ci)的提高,各竹种叶片的Pn值均逐渐增大,但增幅有一定差异;各竹种的光响应和CO2响应参数均有较大差异,其中,白纹阴阳竹叶片的表观量子产量( AQY)最低,CO2饱和点( CSP)和CO2补偿点( CCP)也较低,其他参数均最高;而花秆早竹叶片的AQY和CCP值均最高,而其他参数总体上均最低。4个竹种的光合及气体交换参数日变化曲线均有一定差异;美丽箬竹叶片Pn值日变化曲线呈“双峰型”;白纹阴阳竹、鼓节竹和花秆早竹叶片的Pn值日变化曲线均呈“单峰型”,峰值分别出现在14：00、10：00和12：00;总体上看,4个竹种叶片的气孔导度( Gs)、Ci、蒸腾速率( Tr)和水分利用效率( WUE)总体上具有相似的日变化趋势。分析结果表明：按照总影响效应由高至低进行排序,对白纹阴阳竹叶片Pn值的主要影响因子为PAR、Tr、大气CO2浓度( Ca)、Ci,对鼓节竹叶片Pn值的主要影响因子为PAR、Tr、Ca、Gs,对花秆早竹叶片Pn值的主要影响因子为PAR、Tr、Gs、气温( Ta)、Ci,对美丽箬竹叶片Pn值的主要影响因子为PAR、空气相对湿度( RH)、Ta、Ca、Tr、Gs。综合分析结果显示：4个竹种中,白纹阴阳竹光合能力最强,但对弱光的适应和利用能力较弱,CO2同化能力强且适应范围广;鼓节竹和美丽箬竹对光和CO2的利用能力和适应范围均居中;花秆早竹光合能力和CO2同化能力最差,但对弱光的适应和利用能力较强,CO2适应范围较窄。     

Exogenous gamma-aminobutyric acid increases salt tolerance of wheat by improving photosynthesis and enhancing activities of antioxidant enzymes

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a non-protein amino acid that accumulates in a number of plant species under various environmental stresses. In this paper, the ability of applied GABA for the alleviation of NaCl stress was investigated in view of growth parameters, gas exchange, photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll fluorescence, activities of antioxidant enzymes, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and electrolyte conductivity (REC) in wheat seedlings. Germination rate and shoot dry mass decreased with an increasing NaCl concentration and this decrease was less pronounced when 0.5 mM GABA was applied. In the NaCl-treated seedlings, exogenous GABA partially enhanced photosynthetic capacity and antioxidant enzyme activities and decreased MDA content and REC. Therefore, GABA reduced the impact of salinity on the wheat seedlings.     

Promotion of 5-aminolevulinic acid treatment on leaf photosynthesis is related with increase of antioxidant enzyme activity in watermelon seedlings grown under shade condition

Watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Mansfeld] is a photophilic plant, whose net photosynthetic rate was significantly decreased when seedlings were grown under low light condition. However, treatment with 100 mg kg⁻¹ 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) could significantly restore the photosynthetic ability under the environmental stress. The parameters of leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll modulated fluorescence and fast induction fluorescence of the ALA-treated plants were higher than that of the control. Additionally, ALA treatment increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Nevertheless, the treatment of diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC), an inhibitor of SOD activity, dramatically depressed photosynthesis of watermelon leaves, while ALA could reverse the inhibition of DDC. Therefore, it can be deduced that ALA promotion on photosynthesis of watermelon leaves under low light stress is attributed to its promotion on antioxidant enzyme activities, and the increased activities of the enzymes, which are mainly located near the reaction centers of PSI, can scavenge superoxide anions, leading to an increase of apparent electron transport rate and an alleviation of photosynthetic photoinhibition under the stressed environment.     

Seasonal and interannual variations of ecosystem photosynthetic characteristics in a semi-arid grassland of Northern China

北方半干旱草原生态系统光合参数的季节和年际变异 生态系统表观量子效率(α)、最大光合速率(P_max)和暗呼吸速率(R_d)不仅反映了生态系统水平 光合生理特征,同时也是碳循环模型中光合过程模拟的关键参数。气候和植被因子都会影 响光合参数的季节和年际变异,但二者在光合参数调控过程中的相对贡献和作用途径尚不清晰。本研究基于连续12年(2006–2017)的涡度相关观测数据,分析了内蒙古半干旱典型草原光合参数的季节和年际变化规律;利用回归分析和结构方程模型(SEM)方法明晰了环境和生理调控的作用途径及相对贡献。结果发现,光合参数(α、P_max和R_d)均表现出单峰的季节变化趋势,并呈现明显的年际波动。温度(T_a)和土壤含水量(SWC)的变化共同影响光合参数的季节变化,而SWC主导了其年际变异。α和R_d的变化主要由T_a决定,而Pmax的变化主要受SWC的影响。SEM模型分析表明,除了直接作用外,环境因子主要通过影响冠层水平气孔导度(gc)对光合参数和碳同化生理过程进行调控。此外,叶面积指数对光合参数特别是Pmax的季节和年际变异起主要调控作用。以上结果明确了环境和植被共同决定了生态系统水平光合参数的季节和年际变异,并强调了在水分受限的草原生态系统中,植被生理调控在光合碳同化能力和碳汇功能评估中的重要作用。     

两种生态型榕树的叶绿素含量、荧光特性和叶片气体交换日变化的比较研究

比较盆栽 生榕树和两栖型树的形态差异、叶片叶绿素含量、叶绿素荧光特性和气体交换的日变化。两栖型榕树具有较发达的气生根和水生不定根,叶片比陆生榕树宽,并有向中生性 倾向,陆生榕树的叶绿素含量比两栖榕树高,净光合速率略高于水培两栖型榕树,但明显高于土培两栖型榕树,蒸腾速率以水培两栖型树最高,陆生榕树次之,土培两栖型榕树最低,线性回归分析表明,三者的叶片气孔导度与净光合速率变化均呈正相关,气孔导度的变化     

柚木无性系光合生理特征与生长综合评价

为了掌握柚木无性系光合生理与生长性状遗传变异规律,筛选出优良无性系。基于柚木无性系测定林,测定选自不同种源的19个无性系+1个对照的气体交换、叶绿素荧光参数和生长性状,分析柚木无性系光合生理特征及其与生长的关系。结果表明：气体交换、叶绿素荧光参数和树高在柚木不同无性系间、不同种源间都存在极显著差异,除了PSⅡ最大光化学效率（F_v/F_m）,其他各性状都具有丰富的遗传变异,但净光合速率等光合生理参数与树高生长没有显著的相关性。结论：早期选出71-7、FS3为光合速率高和树高生长好的优良无性系,起源于印度的柚木资源可作为今后高光效育种选择的重点,需要对光合生理和生长测定进行综合评价才能准确地筛选优良无性系。     

Diurnal and seasonal variations in the photosynthetic performance and water relations of two co-occurring Mediterranean shrubs,Erica multiflora and Globularia alypum

Diurnal and seasonal fluctuations in the photosynthetic performance and water relations of two co-occurring Mediterranean shrubs, Erica multiflora and Globularia alypum were monitored throughout two consecutive years at Garraf Natural Park in north-east Spain. Leaf gas exchange rates, chlorophyll fluorescence and shoot water potentials were measured once each season. Leaf nitrogen and carbon concentrations, leaf delta13C and delta15N and specific leaf area (SLA) were also measured once a year (August) on well developed mature leaves. Globularia alypum experienced seasonal fluctuations in their water potential, with the lowest values recorded in summer, whereas E. multiflora did not show significant differences in water potential among seasons. Moreover, lower water potentials were found in G. alypum than in E. multiflora throughout the entire study, suggesting that the latter behaved as a drought-avoiding species, whereas the former tolerated lower water potentials. In both species, maximum leaf gas exchange rates were observed in autumn and secondarily in spring; in contrast, photosynthetic and transpiration rates reached absolute minima in summer. The stronger fluctuations in water potential and leaf gas exchange rates found in G. alypum compared to E. multiflora, suggest that G. alypum is, sensu Levitt (1980), a water spender, whereas E. multiflora is a water conservative. This hypothesis is further supported by a higher integrated water-use efficiency (higher delta13C values) and a higher degree of sclerophylly (lower SLA) in E. multiflora in comparison with G. alypum. Globularia alypum showed higher leaf gas exchange rates and higher predawn potential photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) than E. multiflora during most of the study. In spring and autumn, predawn Fv/Fm values were within the optimal range, whereas chronic photoinhibition in summer and winter was detected in both species. However, whereas both species could maintain positive photosynthetic rates in winter, frequent negative values were found in summer, suggesting higher levels of stress during the drought period. These results together with the high correlations that were found between the net photosynthetic rates and several parameters of water availability (accumulated rainfall, soil moisture or midday water potential) provided further evidence of the key role of water availability in the regulation of the photosynthetic rates in these Mediterranean species. Warmer and drier conditions in future decades, as a consequence of climate change, may alter the present, slight competitive advantage of G. alypum and the fitness of both shrub species within semi-arid Mediterranean environments.     

Measuring and modelling environmental influences on photosynthetic gas exchange in Sphagnum and Pleurozium

A mechanistic model has been used to examine the environmental regulation of photosynthetic gas exchange in moss. The effects of water content on conductance to CO₂ and on photosynthetic capacity during desiccation were calculated from the carbon isotope discrimination data of Williams & Flanagan (1996 , Oecologia 108, pp. 38–46) and combined with the biochemical model of Farquhar et al. (1980 , Planta 149, pp. 78–90). The model includes a simple light attenuation function that imparts curvature to the light response curve for net assimilation, enabling the use of physiologically realistic values for the biochemical parameters. Measurements of gas exchange for Sphagnum and Pleurozium were made in an old black spruce ecosystem over a growing season in order to assign values to parameters in the model. The calculated maximum rates of carboxylation by Rubisco ( V _max) were 5, 14 and 6 μ mol m^–2 s^–1 for Sphagnum during the spring, summer and autumn seasons of 1996, respectively. The increase in V _max during the summer was consistent with an increased allocation of resources to the photosynthetic apparatus. In contrast, no seasonal variation in V _max was observed in Pleurozium with average values of 7, 5 and 7 μ mol m^–2 s^–1 during the spring, summer and autumn, respectively.     

The seasonal pattern of CO2 exchange of Festuca rubra L. in a montane meadow community in Northern Germany

Summary Completely climatized cuvettes were used to follow the CO₂ gas exchange of red fescue (Festuca rubra L.), growing on a fertilized and an unfertilized plot, during a growing season from May through October. Objective of the study was to determine the effect of environmental factors on the seasonal CO₂ gas exchange.Gas exchange rates were calculated on the basis of leaf dry weight, surface area and chlorophyll content. Photosynthetic rates differed between the fertilized and unfertilized plants when based on leaf dry weight or leaf surface area but were similar when based on chlorophyll.Multiple regression analysis was used to related photosynthetic rates to radiation, temperature, water vapor concentration difference, chlorophyll content and time. A cubic regression equation based on daily radiation alone explained 85% of the variation for the fertilized plants and 87% of the variation for the unfertilized plants.During the growing season the unfertilized plants had a continual decline in their photosynthetic rates. The fertilized plants had high photosynthetic rates in the spring and in the fall.Light response curves indicated greater photosynthetic rates at light saturation as well as in the light limited portion of the light response curve for the fertilized plants. Photosynthetic rates of the fertilized plants were generally depressed during periods of warm temperature and high light intensity in June and July.Photosynthetic rates declined at temperatures above 24°C. The decline was greater for the more mesomorphic fertilized plants. A similar response was noted to increasing water vapor difference, although it was difficult to separate from the temperature effect. Maximum photosynthetic rates were found between 14°C and 22°C, although there was considerable variation in the maximum rates.The effects of cutting (mowing) on the gas exchange were difficult to determine due to the interaction of the environmental factors.Chlorophyll content showed significant correlation with photosynthetic rates.     

Reliable estimation of biochemical parameters from C3 leaf photosynthesis–intercellular carbon dioxide response curves

The Farquhar–von Caemmerer–Berry (FvCB) model of photosynthesis is a change‐point model and structurally overparameterized for interpreting the response of leaf net assimilation (A) to intercellular CO₂ concentration (Ci). The use of conventional fitting methods may lead not only to incorrect parameters but also several previously unrecognized consequences. For example, the relationships between key parameters may be fixed computationally and certain fits may be produced in which the estimated parameters result in contradictory identification of the limitation states of the data. Here we describe a new approach that is better suited to the FvCB model characteristics. It consists of four main steps: (1) enumeration of all possible distributions of limitation states; (2) fitting the FvCB model to each limitation state distribution by minimizing a distribution‐wise cost function that has desirable properties for parameter estimation; (3) identification and correction of inadmissible fits; and (4) selection of the best fit from all possible limitation state distributions. The new approach implemented theoretical parameter resolvability with numerical procedures that maximally use the information content of the data. It was tested with model simulations, sampled A/Ci curves, and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements of different tree species. The new approach is accessible through the automated website leafweb.ornl.gov.     

经济海藻红毛菜原位光合作用日变化

利用光合气体交换和叶绿素a荧光技术测定了原位沉水和干出条件下红毛菜光合作用的日变化,结果显示与沉水藻体相比,中午干出藻体光合速率、光系统II最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、实际光化学效率(ΦPSⅡ)、光化学淬灭系数(qP),光响应曲线初始斜率(ɑETR)和相对电子传递速率(rETR)值下降更明显。干出藻体重新入水后,其叶绿素a荧光参数在两个小时内可以完全恢复到沉水藻体的水平。红毛菜叶绿素a、类胡萝卜素、藻红蛋白的含量在一天中并没有出现明显变化。以上结果表明红毛菜日生长在中午要经历光抑制过程,干出状态下光抑制更严重;干出和沉水藻体光合速率都可以在傍晚得以恢复;红毛菜光系统II反应中心可以通过增加热耗散和降低光合电子传递速率等策略来应对光抑制。     

Using network connectance and autonomy analyses to uncover patterns of photosynthetic responses in tropical woody species

Daily courses of leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence in forest gap and understorey environments were used to build photosynthetic networks in two pioneers and two late-successional species. Photochemical and gas exchange networks were linked to each other by the relationship between electron transport rate and net CO₂ assimilation. Global network connectance (Cg), which represents the mean strength of connections within a given network, was calculated in the photochemical and gas exchange networks for both functional groups and environments. Autonomy in relation to environmental fluctuations was estimated considering the mean correlation between environmental and physiological data. Cg was consistently higher in plants under gap condition. High daily-amplitude of environmental variables in the gap induced strong connectance in photochemical and gas exchange networks regardless of functional group. Gap scenario demands network modulation with higher level of control than understorey, which would be attained by strong connections among components of photochemical and gas exchange networks. This would allow fine and fast tuning adjustments when facing highly variable and demanding environmental conditions throughout a day. As a consequence of this highly variable environment, both functional groups showed lower autonomy in the gap, where higher coupling between leaf physiology and environmental fluctuations was evident. Our results suggest that high plant–environment coupling demands high network connectance. Contrastingly, Cg was lower (especially in photochemical network) under forest understorey, promoting autonomy in a more stable environment. Our results indicate that there is a conservative pattern of photosynthesis control based on network modulation and environmental coupling. This suggests that changes in network connectance may not be specific of a functional group but rather a more general response to environmental fluctuations, strongly related to system stability. We consider this information crucial in understanding how complex adaptive systems deal with environmental fluctuations.     

The phenology of leaf quality and its within‐canopy variation is essential for accurate modeling of photosynthesis in tropical evergreen forests

Leaf quantity (i.e., canopy leaf area index, LAI), quality (i.e., per‐area photosynthetic capacity), and longevity all influence the photosynthetic seasonality of tropical evergreen forests. However, these components of tropical leaf phenology are poorly represented in most terrestrial biosphere models (TBMs). Here, we explored alternative options for the representation of leaf phenology effects in TBMs that employ the Farquahar, von Caemmerer & Berry (FvCB) representation of CO₂ assimilation. We developed a two‐fraction leaf (sun and shade), two‐layer canopy (upper and lower) photosynthesis model to evaluate different modeling approaches and assessed three components of phenological variations (i.e., leaf quantity, quality, and within‐canopy variation in leaf longevity). Our model was driven by the prescribed seasonality of leaf quantity and quality derived from ground‐based measurements within an Amazonian evergreen forest. Modeled photosynthetic seasonality was not sensitive to leaf quantity, but was highly sensitive to leaf quality and its vertical distribution within the canopy, with markedly more sensitivity to upper canopy leaf quality. This is because light absorption in tropical canopies is near maximal for the entire year, implying that seasonal changes in LAI have little impact on total canopy light absorption; and because leaf quality has a greater effect on photosynthesis of sunlit leaves than light limited, shade leaves and sunlit foliage are more abundant in the upper canopy. Our two‐fraction leaf, two‐layer canopy model, which accounted for all three phenological components, was able to simulate photosynthetic seasonality, explaining ~90% of the average seasonal variation in eddy covariance‐derived CO₂ assimilation. This work identifies a parsimonious approach for representing tropical evergreen forest photosynthetic seasonality in TBMs that utilize the FvCB model of CO₂ assimilation and highlights the importance of incorporating more realistic phenological mechanisms in models that seek to improve the projection of future carbon dynamics in tropical evergreen forests.     

Continuous chlorophyll fluorescence,gas exchange and microclimate monitoring in a natural soil crust habitat in Tabernas badlands,Almería,Spain: progressing towards a model to understand productivity

The Soil Crust International project aims to better understand the functioning of biological soil crust environments (BSC) in Europe in order to understand the importance of these ecosystems. The final objective of this project is to inform and strengthen protection strategies for these types of habitats in the frame of the European Union. To achieve this, four different soil crust regions have been chosen in Europe following latitudinal and altitudinal gradients. The work presented here is based on the simultaneous monitoring of gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence and microclimate of the most abundant BSC in one of these four locations, the Tabernas badlands, Almeria, SE Spain, one of the driest regions in Europe. The five BSC types monitored are dominated by the lichen species Squamarina cartilaginea, Diploschistes diacapsis, Toninia albilabra and Psora decipiens and by the moss Didymodon rigidulus. We aim to understand the conditions in which the BSC are metabolically active in order to get a better knowledge about the contribution of the BSC to the carbon budget of the ecosystem. Our first results after nearly 1 year of chlorophyll fluorescence and microclimatic monitoring linked to gas exchange data during typical activity days obtained in the field suggest similar physiological performance between the different BSC types studied. BSC were active under suboptimal conditions, and activity duration was not different whether measured by chlorophyll a fluorescence or CO₂ gas exchange, a relationship that will be the basis of a productivity model.