Understanding how photosynthesis responds to the environment is crucial for improving plant production and maintaining biodiversity in the context of global change. Covering all aspects of photosynthesis, from basic concepts to methodologies, from the organelle to whole ecosystem levels, this is an integrated guide to photosynthesis in an environmentally dynamic context. Focusing on the ecophysiology of photosynthesis – how photosynthesis varies in time and space, responds and adapts to environmental conditions and differs among species within an evolutionary context – the book features contributions from leaders in the field. The approach is interdisciplinary and the topics covered have applications for ecology, environmental sciences, agronomy, forestry and meteorology. It also addresses applied fields such as climate change, biomass and biofuel production and genetic engineering, making a valuable contribution to our understanding of the impacts of climate change on the primary productivity of the globe and on ecosystem stability.
• An integrated guide to photosynthesis in an environmentally dynamic context, covering all aspects from the organelle to whole ecosystem levels • The topics covered have interdisciplinary applications across ecology, environmental sciences, agronomy, forestry and meteorology, as well as climate change, biomass and biofuel production and genetic engineering • Examines many recent advances in the field, presenting an up-to-date and complete resource for both students and academic researchers
Contents
List of abbreviations; List of contributors; Preface; Acknowledgements; Part I. Photosynthesis: The Process: 1. Terrestrial photosynthesis in a changing environment; 2. A synopsis about the biochemistry and photochemistry of terrestrial photosynthesis; 3. Photosynthetic regulation; 4. Interactions between photosynthesis and day respiration; 5. The ecophysiology and global biology of C4 photosynthesis; 6. Ecophysiology of CAM photosynthesis; 7. Special photosynthetic adaptations; 8. Models of photosynthesis; Part II. Measuring Photosynthesis: 9. Gas exchange analysis: basics and problems; 10. Optical methods for investigation of leaf photosynthesis; 11. Stable isotopic compositions related to photosynthesis, photorespiration and respiration; 12. Mesophyll conductance to CO2; 13. Biochemical and molecular techniques for the study of photosynthetic processes; 14. Measuring CO2 exchange at canopy scale: the eddy covariance technique; 15. Remote sensing of photosynthesis; Part III. Photosynthesis Response to Single Environmental Factors: 16. Photosynthetic responses to radiation; 17. Photosynthetic responses to increased CO2 and air pollutants; 18. Response of photosynthesis to low temperature; 19. Photosynthetic responses to high temperature; 20. Photosynthesis under water deficits, flooding and salinity; 21. Photosynthetic responses to nutrient deprivation and toxicities; 22. Photosynthesis responses to biotic stress; Part IV. Photosynthesis in Time: 23. Photosynthesis during leaf development and ageing; 24. Evolution of photosynthesis – basic leaf morphological traits and diffusion and photosynthetic structures; 25. Evolution of photosynthesis – evolution and expansion of CAM and C4 photosynthetic types; Part V. Photosynthesis in Space: 26. Whole plant photosynthesis: potentials, limitations and physiological and structural controls; 27. Ecophysiology of photosynthesis in the tropics; 28. Ecophysiology of photosynthesis in desert ecosystems; 29. Ecophysiology of photosynthesis in semi-arid environments; 30. Ecophysiology of photosynthesis in temperate forests; 31. Ecophysiology of photosynthesis in boreal, arctic and alpine ecosystems; 32. Crop photosynthesis; Part VI. Photosynthesis in a Global Context: 33. Photosynthetic water use efficiency; 34. Global change and photosynthesis; References; Index.
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