In this section
@article{Gan:2026,
author = {Gan, W and Alizadeh, N and Best, M and Vidale, P and Prentice, C and Harrison, SP},
journal = {New Phytologist},
title = {An eco-evolutionary optimality model explains theacclimated temperature response of photosynthesis},
year = {2026}
}
TY - JOUR
AB - The optimal temperature of net photosynthesis (Topt) generally increases with plant growth temperature. Changes in Topt are associated with changes in the maximum carboxylation capacity at 25 °C (Vcmax25) and the maximum electron transport rate at 25 °C (Jmax25). The ratio between Jmax25 and Vcmax25 declines with warming. Accurate representation of leaf-level photosynthetic responses to temperature is essential for realistic projections of the terrestrial carbon cycle and its response to ongoing climate changes. However, many land-surface models incorporate thermal acclimation through empirical approaches and through assigning distinct but static parameter values to plant functional types (PFTs). Eco-evolutionary optimality approaches provide a simpler way of modelling photosynthesis without recourse to PFTs. Here we use the sub-daily P model, an eco-evolutionary optimality-based model of photosynthesis that explicitly separates the instantaneous and acclimated responses of photosynthetic parameters to temperature to investigate how optimal temperature changes with growth temperature, as represented by leaf or air temperature. We show that the simulated responses are consistent with observations from both controlled experiments and eddy-covariance flux tower data. We show that changes in Topt, and in the assimilation rate at Topt, are caused by changes in carboxylation capacity and electron transport rate that follow directly from the hypotheses underlying the model.
AU - Gan,W
AU - Alizadeh,N
AU - Best,M
AU - Vidale,P
AU - Prentice,C
AU - Harrison,SP
PY - 2026///
SN - 0028-646X
TI - An eco-evolutionary optimality model explains theacclimated temperature response of photosynthesis
T2 - New Phytologist
ER -
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