Variations in 13C discrimination during CO2 exchange by Picea sitchensis branches in the field

Resin acid δ13C and δ18O as indicators of intra-seasonal physiological and environmental variability

Understanding the dynamics of δ13C and δ18O in modern resin is crucial for interpreting (sub)fossilized resin records and resin production dynamics. We measured the δ13C and δ18O offsets between resin acids and their precursor molecules in the top-canopy twigs and breast-height stems of mature Pinus sylvestris trees. We also investigated the physiological and environmental signals imprinted in resin δ13C and δ18O at an intra-seasonal scale. Resin δ13C was c. 2‰ lower than sucrose δ13C, in both twigs and stems, likely due to the loss of 13C-enriched C-1 atoms of pyruvate during isoprene formation and kinetic isotope effects during diterpene synthesis. Resin δ18O was c. 20‰ higher than xylem water δ18O and c. 20‰ lower than δ18O of water-soluble carbohydrates, possibly caused by discrimination against 18O during O2-based diterpene oxidation and 35%-50% oxygen atom exchange with water. Resin δ13C and δ18O recorded a strong signal of soil water potential; however, their overall capacity to infer intraseasonal environmental changes was limited by their temporal, within-tree and among-tree variations. Future studies should validate the potential isotope fractionation mechanisms associated with resin synthesis and explore the use of resin δ13C and δ18O as a long-term proxy for physiological and environmental changes.

Dry inside: progressive unsaturation within leaves with increasing vapour pressure deficit affects estimation of key leaf gas exchange parameters

Climate change not only leads to higher air temperatures but also increases the vapour pressure deficit (VPD) of the air. Understanding the direct effect of VPD on leaf gas exchange is crucial for precise modelling of stomatal functioning. We conducted combined leaf gas exchange and online isotope discrimination measurements on four common European tree species across a VPD range of 0.8-3.6 kPa, while maintaining constant temperatures without soil water limitation. In addition to applying the standard assumption of saturated vapour pressure inside leaves (ei), we inferred ei from oxygen isotope discrimination of CO2 and water vapour. ei desaturated progressively with increasing VPD, consistently across species, resulting in an intercellular relative humidity as low as 0.73 ± 0.11 at the highest tested VPD. Assuming saturation of ei overestimated the extent of reductions in stomatal conductance and CO2 mole fraction inside leaves in response to increasing VPD compared with calculations that accounted for unsaturation. In addition, a significant decrease in mesophyll conductance with increasing VPD only occurred when the unsaturation of ei was considered. We suggest that the possibility of unsaturated ei should not be overlooked in measurements related to leaf gas exchange and in stomatal models, especially at high VPD.

Reconciling water-use efficiency estimates from carbon isotope discrimination of leaf biomass and tree rings: nonphotosynthetic fractionation matters

Carbon isotope discrimination (∆) in leaf biomass (∆BL) and tree rings (∆TR) provides important proxies for plant responses to climate change, specifically in terms of intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE). However, the nonphotosynthetic 12C/13C fractionation in plant tissues has rarely been quantified and its influence on iWUE estimation remains uncertain. We derived a comprehensive, ∆ based iWUE model (iWUEcom) which includes nonphotosynthetic fractionations (d) and characterized tissue-specific d-values based on global compilations of data of ∆BL, ∆TR and real-time ∆ in leaf photosynthesis (∆online). iWUEcom was further validated with independent datasets. ∆BL was larger than ∆online by 2.53‰, while ∆BL and ∆TR showed a mean offset of 2.76‰, indicating that ∆TR is quantitatively very similar to ∆online. Applying the tissue-specific d-values (dBL = 2.5‰, dTR = 0‰), iWUE estimated from ∆BL aligned well with those estimated from ∆TR or gas exchange. ∆BL and ∆TR showed a consistent iWUE trend with an average CO2 sensitivity of 0.15 ppm ppm-1 during 1975-2015. Accounting for nonphotosynthetic fractionations improves the estimation of iWUE based on isotope records in leaf biomass and tree rings, which is ultimate for inferring changes in carbon and water cycles under historical and future climate.

The response of mesophyll conductance to short-term CO2 variation is related to stomatal conductance

The response of mesophyll conductance (gm) to CO2 plays a key role in photosynthesis and ecosystem carbon cycles under climate change. Despite numerous studies, there is still debate about how gm responds to short-term CO2 variations. Here we used multiple methods and looked at the relationship between stomatal conductance to CO2 (gsc) and gm to address this aspect. We measured chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and online carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) at different CO2 mole fractions in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) leaves. The variable J and Δ based methods showed that gm decreased with an increase in CO2 mole fraction, and so did stomatal conductance. There were linear relationships between gm and gsc across CO2 mole fractions. gm obtained from A-Ci curve fitting method was higher than that from the variable J method and was not representative of gm under the growth CO2 concentration. gm could be estimated by empirical models analogous to the Ball-Berry model and the USO model for stomatal conductance. Our results suggest that gm and gsc respond in a coordinated manner to short-term variations in CO2, providing new insight into the role of gm in photosynthesis modelling.

Effect of light-induced changes in leaf anatomy on intercellular and cellular components of mesophyll resistance for CO2 in Fagus sylvatica

Mesophyll resistance for CO2 diffusion (rm) is one of the main limitations for photosynthesis and plant growth. Breeding new varieties with lower rm requires knowledge of its distinct components. We tested new method for estimating the relative drawdowns of CO2 concentration (c) across hypostomatous leaves of Fagus sylvatica. This technique yields values of the ratio of the internal CO2 concentrations at the adaxial and abaxial leaf side, cd/cb, the drawdown in the intercellular air space (IAS), and intracellular drawdown between IAS and chloroplast stroma, cc/cbd. The method is based on carbon isotope composition of leaf dry matter and epicuticular wax isolated from upper and lower leaf sides. We investigated leaves from tree-canopy profile to analyse the effects of light and leaf anatomy on the drawdowns and partitioning of rm into its inter- (rIAS) and intracellular (rliq) components. Validity of the new method was tested by independent measurements of rm using conventional isotopic and gas exchange techniques. 73% of investigated leaves had adaxial epicuticular wax enriched in 13C compared to abaxial wax (by 0.50‰ on average), yielding 0.98 and 0.70 for average of cd/cb and cc/cbd, respectively. The rIAS to rliq proportion were 5.5:94.5% in sun-exposed and 14.8:85.2% in shaded leaves. cc dropped to less than half of the atmospheric value in the sunlit and to about two-thirds of it in shaded leaves. This method shows that rIAS is minor but not negligible part of rm and reflects leaf anatomy traits, i.e. leaf mass per area and thickness.

GasanalyzeR: advancing reproducible research using a new R package for photosynthesis data workflows

The analysis of photosynthetic traits has become an integral part of plant (eco-)physiology. Many of these characteristics are not directly measured, but calculated from combinations of several, more direct, measurements. The calculations of such derived variables are based on underlying physical models and may use additional constants or assumed values. Commercially available gas-exchange instruments typically report such derived variables, but the available implementations use different definitions and assumptions. Moreover, no software is currently available to allow a fully scripted and reproducible workflow that includes importing data, pre-processing and recalculating derived quantities. The R package gasanalyzer aims to address these issues by providing methods to import data from different instruments, by translating photosynthetic variables to a standardized nomenclature, and by optionally recalculating derived quantities using standardized equations. In addition, the package facilitates performing sensitivity analyses on variables or assumptions used in the calculations to allow researchers to better assess the robustness of the results. The use of the package and how to perform sensitivity analyses are demonstrated using three different examples.

Leaf day respiration: More than just catabolic CO2 production in the light

Day respiration is a net flux resulting from several CO2‐generating and CO2‐fixing reactions, not only related to catabolism but also to anabolism. We review pieces of evidence that decarboxylating reactions are partly fed by carbon sources disconnected from current photosynthesis and how they reflect various metabolic pathways.

Leaf day respiration involves multiple carbon sources and depends on previous dark metabolism

Day respiration (Rd) is the metabolic, nonphotorespiratory process by which illuminated leaves liberate CO2 during photosynthesis. Rd is used routinely in photosynthetic models and is thus critical for calculations. However, metabolic details associated with Rd are poorly known, and this can be problematic to predict how Rd changes with environmental conditions and relates to night respiration. It is often assumed that day respiratory CO2 release just reflects 'ordinary' catabolism (glycolysis and Krebs 'cycle'). Here, we carried out a pulse-chase experiment, whereby a 13CO2 pulse in the light was followed by a chase period in darkness and then in the light. We took advantage of nontargeted, isotope-assisted metabolomics to determine non-'ordinary' metabolism, detect carbon remobilisation and compare light and dark 13C utilisation. We found that several concurrent metabolic pathways ('ordinary' catabolism, oxidative pentose phosphates pathway, amino acid production, nucleotide biosynthesis and secondary metabolism) took place in the light and participated in net CO2 efflux associated with day respiration. Flux reconstruction from metabolomics leads to an underestimation of Rd, further suggesting the contribution of a variety of CO2-evolving processes. Also, the cornerstone of the Krebs 'cycle', citrate, is synthetised de novo from photosynthates mostly in darkness, and remobilised or synthesised from stored material in the light. Collectively, our data provides direct evidence that leaf day respiration (i) involves several CO2-producing reactions and (ii) is fed by different carbon sources, including stored carbon disconnected from current photosynthates.

Uncoupling of stomatal conductance and photosynthesis at high temperatures: mechanistic insights from online stable isotope techniques

The strong covariation of temperature and vapour pressure deficit (VPD) in nature limits our understanding of the direct effects of temperature on leaf gas exchange. Stable isotopes in CO2 and H2 O vapour provide mechanistic insight into physiological and biochemical processes during leaf gas exchange. We conducted combined leaf gas exchange and online isotope discrimination measurements on four common European tree species across a leaf temperature range of 5-40°C, while maintaining a constant leaf-to-air VPD (0.8 kPa) without soil water limitation. Above the optimum temperature for photosynthesis (30°C) under the controlled environmental conditions, stomatal conductance (gs ) and net photosynthesis rate (An ) decoupled across all tested species, with gs increasing but An decreasing. During this decoupling, mesophyll conductance (cell wall, plasma membrane and chloroplast membrane conductance) consistently and significantly decreased among species; however, this reduction did not lead to reductions in CO2 concentration at the chloroplast surface and stroma. We question the conventional understanding that diffusional limitations of CO2 contribute to the reduction in photosynthesis at high temperatures. We suggest that stomata and mesophyll membranes could work strategically to facilitate transpiration cooling and CO2 supply, thus alleviating heat stress on leaf photosynthetic function, albeit at the cost of reduced water-use efficiency.

δ13C of bulk organic matter and cellulose reveal post-photosynthetic fractionation during ontogeny in C4 grass leaves

The 13C isotope composition (δ13C) of leaf dry matter is a useful tool for physiological and ecological studies. However, how post-photosynthetic fractionation associated with respiration and carbon export influences δ13C remains uncertain. We investigated the effects of post-photosynthetic fractionation on δ13C of mature leaves of Cleistogenes squarrosa, a perennial C4 grass, in controlled experiments with different levels of vapour pressure deficit and nitrogen supply. With increasing leaf age class, the 12C/13C fractionation of leaf organic matter relative to the δ13C of atmosphere CO2 (ΔDM) increased while that of cellulose (Δcel) was almost constant. The divergence between ΔDM and Δcel increased with leaf age class, with a maximum value of 1.6‰, indicating the accumulation of post-photosynthetic fractionation. Applying a new mass balance model that accounts for respiration and export of photosynthates, we found an apparent 12C/13C fractionation associated with carbon export of -0.5‰ to -1.0‰. Different ΔDM among leaves, pseudostems, daughter tillers, and roots indicate that post-photosynthetic fractionation happens at the whole-plant level. Compared with ΔDM of old leaves, ΔDM of young leaves and Δcel are more reliable proxies for predicting physiological parameters due to the lower sensitivity to post-photosynthetic fractionation and the similar sensitivity in responses to environmental changes.

Modeling the response of Norway spruce tree-ring carbon and oxygen isotopes to selection harvest on a drained peatland forest

Continuous cover forestry (CCF) has gained interest as an alternative to even-aged management particularly on drained peatland forests. However, relatively little is known about the physiological response of suppressed trees when larger trees are removed as a part of CCF practices. Consequently, studies concentrating on process-level modeling of the response of trees to selection harvesting are also rare. Here, we compared, modeled and measured harvest response of previously suppressed Norway spruce (Picea abies) trees to a selection harvest. We quantified the harvest response by collecting Norway spruce tree-ring samples in a drained peatland forest site and measuring the change in stable carbon and oxygen isotopic ratios of wood formed during 2010-20, including five post-harvest years. The measured isotopic ratios were compared with ecosystem-level process model predictions for ${\kern0em }^{13}$C discrimination and ${\kern0em }^{18}$O leaf water enrichment. We found that the model predicted similar but lower harvest response than the measurements. Furthermore, accounting for mesophyll conductance was important for capturing the variation in ${\kern0em }^{13}$C discrimination. In addition, we performed sensitivity analysis on the model, which suggests that the modeled ${\kern0em }^{13}$C discrimination is sensitive to parameters related to CO2 transport through stomata to the mesophyll.

Using Carbon Stable Isotopes to Study C3 and C4 Photosynthesis: Models and Calculations

Stable carbon isotopes are a powerful tool to study photosynthesis. Initial applications consisted of determining isotope ratios of plant biomass using mass spectrometry. Subsequently, theoretical models relating C isotope values to gas exchange characteristics were introduced and tested against instantaneous online measurements of 13C photosynthetic discrimination. Beginning in the twenty-first century, laser absorption spectroscopes with sufficient precision for determining isotope mixing ratios became commercially available. This has allowed collection of large data sets at lower cost and with unprecedented temporal resolution. More data and accompanying knowledge have permitted refinement of 13C discrimination model equations, but often at the expense of increased model complexity and difficult parametrization. This chapter describes instantaneous online measurements of 13C photosynthetic discrimination, provides recommendations for experimental setup, and presents a thorough compilation of equations available to researchers. We update our previous 2018 version of this chapter by including recently improved descriptions of (photo)respiratory processes and associated fractionations. We discuss the capabilities and limitations of the diverse 13C discrimination model equations and provide guidance for selecting the model complexity needed for different applications.

Stomatal, mesophyll and biochemical limitations to photosynthesis and their relationship with leaf structure over an elevation gradient in two conifers

Photosynthetic responses across complex elevational gradients provides insight into fundamental processes driving responses of plant growth and net primary production to environmental change. Gas exchange of needles and twig water potential were measured in two widespread coniferous tree species, Pinus contorta and Picea engelmannii, over an 800-m elevation gradient in southeastern Wyoming, USA. We hypothesized that limitations to photosynthesis imposed by mesophyll conductance (gm) would be greatest at the highest elevation sites due to higher leaf mass per area (LMA) and that estimations of maximum rate of carboxylation (Vcmax) without including gm would obscure elevational patterns of photosynthetic capacity. We found that gm decreased with elevation for P. contorta and remained constant for P. engelmannii, but in general, limitation to photosynthesis by gm was small. Indeed, estimations of Vcmax when including gm were equivalent to those estimated without including gm and no correlation was found between gm and LMA nor between gm and leaf N. Stomatal conductance (gs) and biochemical demand for CO2 were by far the most limiting processes to photosynthesis at all sites along the elevation gradient. Photosynthetic capacity (A) and gs were influenced strongly by differences in soil water availability across the elevation transect, while gm was less responsive to water availability. Based on our analysis, variation in gm plays only a minor role in driving patterns of photosynthesis in P. contorta and P. engelmannii across complex elevational gradients in dry, continental environments of the Rocky Mountains and accurate modeling of photosynthesis, growth and net primary production in these forests may not require detailed estimation of this trait value.

Estimation of intrinsic water-use efficiency from δ13C signature of C3 leaves: Assumptions and uncertainty

Carbon isotope composition (δ¹³C) has been widely used to estimate the intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE) of plants in ecosystems around the world, providing an ultimate record of the functional response of plants to climate change. This approach relies on established relationships between leaf gas exchange and isotopic discrimination, which are reflected in different formulations of ¹³C-based iWUE models. In the current literature, most studies have utilized the simple, linear equation of photosynthetic discrimination to estimate iWUE. However, recent studies demonstrated that using this linear model for quantitative studies of iWUE could be problematic. Despite these advances, there is a scarcity of review papers that have comprehensively reviewed the theoretical basis, assumptions, and uncertainty of ¹³C-based iWUE models. Here, we 1) present the theoretical basis of ¹³C-based iWUE models: the classical model (iWUE_sim), the comprehensive model (iWUE_com), and the model incorporating mesophyll conductance (iWUE_mes); 2) discuss the limitations of the widely used iWUE_sim model; 3) and make suggestions on the application of the iWUE_mes model. Finally, we suggest that a mechanistic understanding of mesophyll conductance associated effects and post-photosynthetic fractionation are the bottlenecks for improving the ¹³C-based estimation of iWUE.

Estimating intra-seasonal photosynthetic discrimination and water use efficiency using δ13C of leaf sucrose in Scots pine

Sucrose has a unique role in recording environmental and physiological signals during photosynthesis in its carbon isotope composition (δ13C) and transport of the signal to tree rings. Yet, instead of sucrose, total organic matter (TOM) or water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) are typically analysed in studies that follow δ13C signals within trees. To study how the choice of organic material may bias the interpretation of δ13C records, we used mature field-grown Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) to compare for the first time δ13C of different leaf carbon pools with δ13C of assimilates estimated by a chamber-Picarro system (δ13CA_Picarro), and a photosynthetic discrimination model (δ13CA_model). Compared with sucrose, the other tested carbon pools, such as TOM and WSC, poorly recorded the seasonal trends or absolute values of δ13CA_Picarro and δ13CA_model. Consequently, in comparison with the other carbon pools, sucrose δ13C was superior for reconstructing changes in intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE), agreeing in both absolute values and intra-seasonal variations with iWUE estimated from gas exchange. Thus, deriving iWUE and environmental signals from δ13C of bulk organic matter can lead to misinterpretation. Our findings underscore the advantage of using sucrose δ13C to understand plant physiological responses in depth.

Explicitly accounting for needle sugar pool size crucial for predicting intra-seasonal dynamics of needle carbohydrates δ18 O and δ13 C

We explore needle sugar isotopic compositions (δ¹⁸ O and δ¹³ C) in boreal Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) over two growing seasons. A leaf-level dynamic model driven by environmental conditions and based on current understanding of isotope fractionation processes was built to predict δ¹⁸ O and δ¹³ C of two hierarchical needle carbohydrate pools, accounting for the needle sugar pool size and the presence of an invariant pinitol pool. Model results agreed well with observed needle water δ¹⁸ O, δ¹⁸ O and δ¹³ C of needle water-soluble carbohydrates (sugars + pinitol), and needle sugar δ¹³ C (R²  = 0.95, 0.84, 0.60, 0.73, respectively). Relative humidity (RH) and intercellular to ambient CO₂ concentration ratio (C_i /C_a ) were the dominant drivers of δ¹⁸ O and δ¹³ C variability, respectively. However, the variability of needle sugar δ¹⁸ O and δ¹³ C was reduced on diel and intra-seasonal timescales, compared to predictions based on instantaneous RH and C_i /C_a , due to the large needle sugar pool, which caused the signal formation period to vary seasonally from 2 d to more than 5 d. Furthermore, accounting for a temperature-sensitive biochemical ¹⁸ O-fractionation factor and mesophyll resistance in ¹³ C-discrimination were critical. Interpreting leaf-level isotopic signals requires understanding on time integration caused by mixing in the needle sugar pool.

Scaling from fluxes to organic matter: interpreting 13 C isotope ratios of plant material using flux models

This article is a Commentary on Leppä et al. (2022), 236: 2044–2060.

Increased bundle-sheath leakiness of CO2 during photosynthetic induction shows a lack of coordination between the C4 and C3 cycles

Use of a complete dynamic model of NADP-malic enzyme C₄ photosynthesis indicated that, during transitions from dark or shade to high light, induction of the C₄ pathway was more rapid than that of C₃ , resulting in a predicted transient increase in bundle-sheath CO₂ leakiness (ϕ). Previously, ϕ has been measured at steady state; here we developed a new method, coupling a tunable diode laser absorption spectroscope with a gas-exchange system to track ϕ in sorghum and maize through the nonsteady-state condition of photosynthetic induction. In both species, ϕ showed a transient increase to > 0.35 before declining to a steady state of 0.2 by 1500 s after illumination. Average ϕ was 60% higher than at steady state over the first 600 s of induction and 30% higher over the first 1500 s. The transient increase in ϕ, which was consistent with model prediction, indicated that capacity to assimilate CO₂ into the C₃ cycle in the bundle sheath failed to keep pace with the rate of dicarboxylate delivery by the C₄ cycle. Because nonsteady-state light conditions are the norm in field canopies, the results suggest that ϕ in these major crops in the field is significantly higher and energy conversion efficiency lower than previous measured values under steady-state conditions.

Desiccation of the leaf mesophyll and its implications for CO2 diffusion and light processing

Leaves balance CO₂ and radiative absorption while maintaining water transport to maximise photosynthesis. Related species with contrasting leaf anatomy can provide insights into inherent and stress-induced links between structure and function for commonly measured leaf traits for important crops. We used two walnut species with contrasting mesophyll anatomy to evaluate these integrated exchange processes under non-stressed and drought conditions using a combination of light microscopy, X-ray microCT, gas exchange, hydraulic conductance, and chlorophyll distribution profiles through leaves. Juglans regia had thicker palisade mesophyll, higher fluorescence in the palisade, and greater low-mesophyll porosity that were associated with greater gas-phase diffusion (g_IAS ), stomatal and mesophyll (g_m ) conductances and carboxylation capacity. More and highly-packed mesophyll cells and bundle sheath extensions (BSEs) in Juglans microcarpa led to higher fluorescence in the spongy and in proximity to the BSEs. Both species exhibited drought-induced reductions in mesophyll cell volume, yet the associated increases in porosity and g_IAS were obscured by declines in biochemical activity that decreased g_m . Inherent differences in leaf anatomy between the species were linked to differences in gas exchange, light absorption and photosynthetic capacity, and drought-induced changes in leaf structure impacted performance via imposing species-specific limitations to light absorption, gas exchange and hydraulics.

Limits to photosynthesis: seasonal shifts in supply and demand for CO2 in Scots pine

Boreal forests undergo a strong seasonal photosynthetic cycle; however, the underlying processes remain incompletely characterized. Here, we present a novel analysis of the seasonal diffusional and biochemical limits to photosynthesis (A_net ) relative to temperature and light limitations in high-latitude mature Pinus sylvestris, including a high-resolution analysis of the seasonality of mesophyll conductance (g_m ) and its effect on the estimation of carboxylation capacity ( VCmax ). We used a custom-built gas-exchange system coupled to a carbon isotope analyser to obtain continuous measurements for the estimation of the relevant shoot gas-exchange parameters and quantified the biochemical and diffusional controls alongside the environmental controls over A_net . The seasonality of A_net was strongly dependent on VCmax and the diffusional limitations. Stomatal limitation was low in spring and autumn but increased to 31% in June. By contrast, mesophyll limitation was nearly constant (19%). We found that VCmax limited A_net in the spring, whereas daily temperatures and the gradual reduction of light availability limited A_net in the autumn, despite relatively high VCmax . We describe for the first time the role of mesophyll conductance in connection with seasonal trends in net photosynthesis of P. sylvestris, revealing a strong coordination between g_m and A_net , but not between g_m and stomatal conductance.

Scaling Up from Leaf to Whole-Plant Level for Water Use Efficiency Estimates Based on Stomatal and Mesophyll Behaviour in Platycladus orientalis

Prediction of whole-plant short-term water use efficiency (WUEs,P) is essential to indicate plant performance and facilitate comparison across different temporal and spatial scales. In this study, an isotope model was scaled up from the leaf to the whole-plant level, in order to simulate the variation in WUEs,P in response to different CO2 concentrations (Ca; 400, 600, and 800 μmol·mol−1) and soil water content (SWC; 35–100% of field capacity). For WUEs,P modelling, leaf gas exchange information, plant respiration, and “unproductive” water loss were taken into account. Specifically, in shaping the expression of the WUEs,P, we emphasized the role of both stomatal (gsw) and mesophyll conductance (gm). Simulations were compared with the measured results to check the model’s applicability. The verification showed that estimates of gsw from the coupled photosynthesis (Pn,L)-gsw model accounting for the effect of soil water stress slightly outperformed the model neglecting the soil water status effect. The established coupled Pn,L-gm model also proved more effective in estimating gm than the previously proposed model. Introducing the two diffusion control functions into the whole-plant model, the developed model for WUEs,P effectively captured its response pattern to different Ca and SWC conditions. Overall, this study confirmed that the accurate estimation of WUEs,P requires an improved predictive accuracy of gsw and gm. These results have important implications for predicting how plants respond to climate change.

Mesophyll conductance exerts a significant limitation on photosynthesis during light induction

Past studies have established mesophyll diffusion conductance to CO₂ (g_m ) as a variable and significant limitation to plant photosynthesis under steady-state conditions. However, the role of g_m in influencing photosynthesis (A) during the transient period of light induction is largely unknown. We combined gas exchange measurements with laser-enabled carbon isotope discrimination measurements to assess g_m during photosynthetic induction, using Arabidopsis as the measurement species. Our measurements revealed three key findings: (1) we found that the rate at which g_m approached steady state during induction was not necessarily faster than the induction rate of the carboxylation process, contradictory to what has been suggested in previous studies; (2) g_m displayed a strong and consistent coordination with A under both induction and steady-state settings, hinting that the mechanism driving g_m -A coupling does not require physiological stability as a prerequisite; and (3) photosynthetic limitation analysis of our data revealed that when integrated over the entire induction period, the relative limitation of A imposed by g_m can be as high as > 35%. The present study provides the first demonstration of the important role of g_m in limiting CO₂ assimilation during photosynthetic induction, thereby pointing to a need for more research attention to be devoted to g_m in future induction studies.

Can improved canopy light transmission ameliorate loss of photosynthetic efficiency in the shade? An investigation of natural variation in Sorghum bicolor

Previous studies have found that maximum quantum yield of CO2 assimilation (Φ CO2,max,app) declines in lower canopies of maize and miscanthus, a maladaptive response to self-shading. These observations were limited to single genotypes, leaving it unclear whether the maladaptive shade response is a general property of this C4 grass tribe, the Andropogoneae. We explored the generality of this maladaptation by testing the hypothesis that erect leaf forms (erectophiles), which allow more light into the lower canopy, suffer less of a decline in photosynthetic efficiency than drooping leaf (planophile) forms. On average, Φ CO2,max,app declined 27% in lower canopy leaves across 35 accessions, but the decline was over twice as great in planophiles than in erectophiles. The loss of photosynthetic efficiency involved a decoupling between electron transport and assimilation. This was not associated with increased bundle sheath leakage, based on 13C measurements. In both planophiles and erectophiles, shaded leaves had greater leaf absorptivity and lower activities of key C4 enzymes than sun leaves. The erectophile form is considered more productive because it allows a more effective distribution of light through the canopy to support photosynthesis. We show that in sorghum, it provides a second benefit, maintenance of higher Φ CO2,max,app to support efficient use of that light resource.

Whole-tree mesophyll conductance reconciles isotopic and gas-exchange estimates of water-use efficiency

Photosynthetic water-use efficiency (WUE) describes the link between terrestrial carbon (C) and water cycles. Estimates of intrinsic WUE (iWUE) from gas exchange and C isotopic composition (δ¹³ C) differ due to an internal conductance in the leaf mesophyll (g_m ) that is variable and seldom computed. We present the first direct estimates of whole-tree g_m , together with iWUE from whole-tree gas exchange and δ¹³ C of the phloem (δ¹³ C_ph ). We measured gas exchange, online ¹³ C-discrimination, and δ¹³ C_ph monthly throughout spring, summer, and autumn in Eucalyptus tereticornis grown in large whole-tree chambers. Six trees were grown at ambient temperatures and six at a 3°C warmer air temperature; a late-summer drought was also imposed. Drought reduced whole-tree g_m . Warming had few direct effects, but amplified drought-induced reductions in whole-tree g_m . Whole-tree g_m was similar to leaf g_m for these same trees. iWUE estimates from δ¹³ C_ph agreed with iWUE from gas exchange, but only after incorporating g_m . δ¹³ C_ph was also correlated with whole-tree ¹³ C-discrimination, but offset by -2.5 ± 0.7‰, presumably due to post-photosynthetic fractionations. We conclude that δ¹³ C_ph is a good proxy for whole-tree iWUE, with the caveats that post-photosynthetic fractionations and intrinsic variability of g_m should be incorporated to provide reliable estimates of this trait in response to abiotic stress.

Canopy position affects photosynthesis and anatomy in mature Eucalyptus trees in elevated CO2

Leaves are exposed to different light conditions according to their canopy position, resulting in structural and anatomical differences with consequences for carbon uptake. While these structure-function relationships have been thoroughly explored in dense forest canopies, such gradients may be diminished in open canopies, and they are often ignored in ecosystem models. We tested within-canopy differences in photosynthetic properties and structural traits in leaves in a mature Eucalyptus tereticornis canopy exposed to long-term elevated CO2 for up to three years. We explored these traits in relation to anatomical variation and diffusive processes for CO2 (i.e., stomatal conductance, gs and mesophyll conductance, gm) in both upper and lower portions of the canopy receiving ambient and elevated CO2. While shade resulted in 13% lower leaf mass per area ratio (MA) in lower versus upper canopy leaves, there was no relationship between leaf Nmass and canopy gap fraction. Both maximum carboxylation capacity (Vcmax) and maximum electron transport (Jmax) were ~ 18% lower in shaded leaves and were also reduced by ~ 22% with leaf aging. In mature leaves, we found no canopy differences for gm or gs, despite anatomical differences in MA, leaf thickness and mean mesophyll thickness between canopy positions. There was a positive relationship between net photosynthesis and gm or gs in mature leaves. Mesophyll conductance was negatively correlated with mean parenchyma length, suggesting that long palisade cells may contribute to a longer CO2 diffusional pathway and more resistance to CO2 transfer to chloroplasts. Few other relationships between gm and anatomical variables were found in mature leaves, which may be due to the open crown of Eucalyptus. Consideration of shade effects and leaf-age dependent responses to photosynthetic capacity and mesophyll conductance are critical to improve canopy photosynthesis models and will improve understanding of long-term responses to elevated CO2 in tree canopies.

Estimating canopy gross primary production by combining phloem stable isotopes with canopy and mesophyll conductances

Gross primary production (GPP) is a key component of the forest carbon cycle. However, our knowledge of GPP at the stand scale remains uncertain, because estimates derived from eddy covariance (EC) rely on semi-empirical modelling and the assumptions of the EC technique are sometimes not fully met. We propose using the sap flux/isotope method as an alternative way to estimate canopy GPP, termed GPP_iso/SF , at the stand scale and at daily resolution. It is based on canopy conductance inferred from sap flux and intrinsic water-use efficiency estimated from the stable carbon isotope composition of phloem contents. The GPP_iso/SF estimate was further corrected for seasonal variations in photosynthetic capacity and mesophyll conductance. We compared our estimate of GPP_iso/SF to the GPP derived from PRELES, a model parameterized with EC data. The comparisons were performed in a highly instrumented, boreal Scots pine forest in northern Sweden, including a nitrogen fertilized and a reference plot. The resulting annual and daily GPP_iso/SF estimates agreed well with PRELES, in the fertilized plot and the reference plot. We discuss the GPP_iso/SF method as an alternative which can be widely applied without terrain restrictions, where the assumptions of EC are not met.

Revisiting carbon isotope discrimination in C3 plants shows respiration rules when photosynthesis is low

Stable isotopes are commonly used to study the diffusion of CO₂ within photosynthetic plant tissues. The standard method used to interpret the observed preference for the lighter carbon isotope in C₃ photosynthesis involves the model of Farquhar et al., which relates carbon isotope discrimination to physical and biochemical processes within the leaf. However, under many conditions the model returns unreasonable results for mesophyll conductance to CO₂ diffusion (g_m), especially when rates of photosynthesis are low. Here, we re-derive the carbon isotope discrimination model using modified assumptions related to the isotope effect of mitochondrial respiration. In particular, we treat the carbon pool associated with respiration as separate from the pool of primary assimilates. We experimentally test the model by comparing g_m values measured with different CO₂ source gases varying in their isotopic composition, and show that our new model returns matching g_m values that are much more reasonable than those obtained with the previous model. We use our results to discuss CO₂ diffusion properties within the mesophyll.

Mesophyll conductance in land surface models: effects on photosynthesis and transpiration

The CO₂ transfer conductance within plant leaves (mesophyll conductance, g_m ) is currently not considered explicitly in most land surface models (LSMs), but instead treated implicitly as an intrinsic property of the photosynthetic machinery. Here, we review approaches to overcome this model deficiency by explicitly accounting for g_m , which comprises the re-adjustment of photosynthetic parameters and a model describing the variation of g_m in dependence of environmental conditions. An explicit representation of g_m causes changes in the response of photosynthesis to environmental factors, foremost leaf temperature, and ambient CO₂ concentration, which are most pronounced when g_m is small. These changes in leaf-level photosynthesis translate into a stronger climate and CO₂ response of gross primary productivity (GPP) and transpiration at the global scale. The results from two independent studies show consistent latitudinal patterns of these effects with biggest differences in GPP in the boreal zone (up to ~15%). Transpiration and evapotranspiration show spatially similar, but attenuated, changes compared with GPP. These changes are indirect effects of g_m caused by the assumed strong coupling between stomatal conductance and photosynthesis in current LSMs. Key uncertainties in these simulations are the variation of g_m with light and the robustness of its temperature response across plant types and growth conditions. Future research activities focusing on the response of g_m to environmental factors and its relation to other plant traits have the potential to improve the representation of photosynthesis in LSMs and to better understand its present and future role in the Earth system.

Transgenic maize phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase alters leaf-atmosphere CO2 and 13CO2 exchanges in Oryza sativa

The engineering process of C4 photosynthesis into C3 plants requires an increased activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) in the cytosol of leaf mesophyll cells. The literature varies on the physiological effect of transgenic maize (Zea mays) PEPC (ZmPEPC) leaf expression in Oryza sativa (rice). Therefore, to address this issue, leaf-atmosphere CO2 and 13CO2 exchanges were measured, both in the light (at atmospheric O2 partial pressure of 1.84 kPa and at different CO2 levels) and in the dark, in transgenic rice expressing ZmPEPC and wild-type (WT) plants. The in vitro PEPC activity was 25 times higher in the PEPC overexpressing (PEPC-OE) plants (~20% of maize) compared to the negligible activity in WT. In the PEPC-OE plants, the estimated fraction of carboxylation by PEPC (β) was ~6% and leaf net biochemical discrimination against 13CO2[Formula: see text] was ~ 2‰ lower than in WT. However, there were no differences in leaf net CO2 assimilation rates (A) between genotypes, while the leaf dark respiration rates (Rd) over three hours after light-dark transition were enhanced (~ 30%) and with a higher 13C composition [Formula: see text] in the PEPC-OE plants compared to WT. These data indicate that ZmPEPC in the PEPC-OE rice plants contributes to leaf carbon metabolism in both the light and in the dark. However, there are some factors, potentially posttranslational regulation and PEP availability, which reduce ZmPEPC activity in vivo.

Elevated CO2-induced changes in mesophyll conductance and anatomical traits in wild type and carbohydrate-metabolism mutants of Arabidopsis

Decreases in photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance (gs), and mesophyll conductance (gm) are often observed under elevated CO2 conditions. However, which anatomical and/or physiological factors contribute to the decrease in gm is not fully understood. Arabidopsis thaliana wild-type and carbon-metabolism mutants (gwd1, pgm1, and cfbp1) with different accumulation patterns of non-structural carbohydrates were grown at ambient (400 ppm) and elevated (800 ppm) CO2. Anatomical and physiological traits of leaves were measured to investigate factors causing the changes in gm and in the mesophyll resistance (expressed as the reciprocal of mesophyll conductance per unit chloroplast surface area facing to intercellular space, Sc/gm). When grown at elevated CO2, all the lines showed increases in cell wall mass, cell wall thickness, and starch content, but not in leaf thickness. gm measured at 800 ppm CO2 was significantly lower than at 400 ppm CO2 in all the lines. Changes in Sc/gm were associated with thicker cell walls rather than with excess starch content. The results indicate that the changes in gm and Sc/gm that occur in response to elevated CO2 are independent of non-structural carbohydrates, and the cell wall represents a greater limitation factor for gm than starch.

Observed and modelled historical trends in the water-use efficiency of plants and ecosystems

Plant water-use efficiency (WUE, the carbon gained through photosynthesis per unit of water lost through transpiration) is a tracer of the plant physiological controls on the exchange of water and carbon dioxide between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere. At the leaf level, rising CO₂ concentrations tend to increase carbon uptake (in the absence of other limitations) and to reduce stomatal conductance, both effects leading to an increase in leaf WUE. At the ecosystem level, indirect effects (e.g. increased leaf area index, soil water savings) may amplify or dampen the direct effect of CO₂ . Thus, the extent to which changes in leaf WUE translate to changes at the ecosystem scale remains unclear. The differences in the magnitude of increase in leaf versus ecosystem WUE as reported by several studies are much larger than would be expected with current understanding of tree physiology and scaling, indicating unresolved issues. Moreover, current vegetation models produce inconsistent and often unrealistic magnitudes and patterns of variability in leaf and ecosystem WUE, calling for a better assessment of the underlying approaches. Here, we review the causes of variations in observed and modelled historical trends in WUE over the continuum of scales from leaf to ecosystem, including methodological issues, with the aim of elucidating the reasons for discrepancies observed within and across spatial scales. We emphasize that even though physiological responses to changing environmental drivers should be interpreted differently depending on the observational scale, there are large uncertainties in each data set which are often underestimated. Assumptions made by the vegetation models about the main processes influencing WUE strongly impact the modelled historical trends. We provide recommendations for improving long-term observation-based estimates of WUE that will better inform the representation of WUE in vegetation models.

Diurnal variation in mesophyll conductance and its influence on modelled water-use efficiency in a mature boreal Pinus sylvestris stand

Mesophyll conductance (gm) is a critical variable for the use of stable carbon isotopes to infer photosynthetic water-use efficiency (WUE). Although gm is similar in magnitude to stomatal conductance (gs), it has been measured less often, especially under field conditions and at high temporal resolution. We mounted an isotopic CO2 analyser on a field photosynthetic gas exchange system to make continuous online measurements of gas exchange and photosynthetic 13C discrimination (Δ13C) on mature Pinus sylvestris trees. This allowed the calculation of gm, gs, net photosynthesis (Anet), and WUE. These measurements highlighted the asynchronous diurnal behaviour of gm and gs. While gs declined from around 10:00, Anet declined first after 12:00, and gm remained near its maximum until 16:00. We suggest that high gm played a role in supporting an extended Anet peak despite stomatal closure. Comparing three models to estimate WUE from ∆13C, we found that a simple model, assuming constant net fractionation during carboxylation (27‰), predicted WUE well, but only for about 75% of the day. A more comprehensive model, accounting explicitly for gm and the effects of daytime respiration and photorespiration, gave reliable estimates of WUE, even in the early morning hours when WUE was more variable. Considering constant, finite gm or gm/gs yielded similar WUE estimates on the diurnal scale, while assuming infinite gm led to overestimation of WUE. These results highlight the potential of high-resolution gm measurements to improve modelling of Anet and WUE and demonstrate that such gm data can be acquired, even under field conditions.

Critical review: incorporating the arrangement of mitochondria and chloroplasts into models of photosynthesis and carbon isotope discrimination

The arrangement of mitochondria and chloroplasts, together with the relative resistances of cell wall and chloroplast, determine the path of diffusion out of the leaf for (photo)respired CO₂. Traditional photosynthesis models have assumed a tight arrangement of chloroplasts packed together against the cell wall with mitochondria located behind the chloroplasts, deep inside the cytosol. Accordingly, all (photo)respired CO₂ must cross the chloroplast before diffusing out of the leaf. Different arrangements have recently been considered, where all or part of the (photo)respired CO₂ diffuses through the cytosol without ever entering the chloroplast. Assumptions about the path for the (photo)respiratory flux are particularly relevant for the calculation of mesophyll conductance (g_m). If (photo)respired CO₂ can diffuse elsewhere besides the chloroplast, apparent g_m is no longer a mere physical resistance but a flux-weighted variable sensitive to the ratio of (photo)respiration to net CO₂ assimilation. We discuss existing photosynthesis models in conjunction with their treatment of the (photo)respiratory flux and present new equations applicable to the generalized case where (photo)respired CO₂ can diffuse both into the chloroplast and through the cytosol. Additionally, we present a new generalized Δ¹³C model that incorporates this dual diffusion pathway. We assess how assumptions about the fate of (photo)respired CO₂ affect the interpretation of photosynthetic data and the challenges it poses for the application of different models.

Responses of respiration in the light to warming in field-grown trees: a comparison of the thermal sensitivity of the Kok and Laisk methods

The Kok and Laisk techniques can both be used to estimate light respiration R_light . We investigated whether responses of R_light to short- and long-term changes in leaf temperature depend on the technique used to estimate R_light . We grew Eucalyptus tereticornis in whole-tree chambers under ambient temperature (AT) or AT + 3°C (elevated temperature, ET). We assessed dark respiration R_dark and light respiration with the Kok (R_Kok ) and Laisk (R_Laisk ) methods at four temperatures to determine the degree of light suppression of respiration using both methods in AT and ET trees. The ET treatment had little impact on R_dark , R_Kok or R_Laisk . Although the thermal sensitivities of R_Kok or R_Laisk were similar, R_Kok was higher than R_Laisk . We found negative values of R_Laisk at the lowest measurement temperatures, indicating positive net CO₂ uptake, which we propose may be related to phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity. Light suppression of R_dark decreased with increasing leaf temperature, but the degree of suppression depended on the method used. The Kok and Laisk methods do not generate the same estimates of R_light or light suppression of R_dark between 20 and 35°C. Negative rates of R_Laisk imply that this method may become less reliable at low temperatures.

Cell wall properties in Oryza sativa influence mesophyll CO2 conductance

Diffusion of CO₂ from the leaf intercellular air space to the site of carboxylation (g_m ) is a potential trait for increasing net rates of CO₂ assimilation (A_net ), photosynthetic efficiency, and crop productivity. Leaf anatomy plays a key role in this process; however, there are few investigations into how cell wall properties impact g_m and A_net . Online carbon isotope discrimination was used to determine g_m and A_net in Oryza sativa wild-type (WT) plants and mutants with disruptions in cell wall mixed-linkage glucan (MLG) production (CslF6 knockouts) under high- and low-light growth conditions. Cell wall thickness (T_cw ), surface area of chloroplast exposed to intercellular air spaces (S_c ), leaf dry mass per area (LMA), effective porosity, and other leaf anatomical traits were also analyzed. The g_m of CslF6 mutants decreased by 83% relative to the WT, with c. 28% of the reduction in g_m explained by S_c . Although A_net /LMA and A_net /Chl partially explained differences in A_net between genotypes, the change in cell wall properties influenced the diffusivity and availability of CO₂ . The data presented here indicate that the loss of MLG in CslF6 plants had an impact on g_m and demonstrate the importance of cell wall effective porosity and liquid path length on g_m .

Determination of leaf respiration in the light: comparison between an isotopic disequilibrium method and the Laisk method

Quantification of leaf respiration is important for understanding plant physiology and ecosystem biogeochemical processes. Leaf respiration continues in the light (R_L ) but supposedly at a lower rate than in the dark (R_Dk ). However, there is no method for direct measurement of R_L and the available methods require nonphysiological measurement conditions. A method based on isotopic disequilibrium quantified R_L (R_L13C ) and mesophyll conductance of young and old fully expanded leaves of six species. R_L13C was compared to R_L determined by the Laisk method (R_L Laisk ) on the very same leaves with a minimum time lag. R_L 13C and R_L Laisk were generally lower than R_Dk , and were not significantly affected by leaf ageing. R_L Laisk and R_L 13C were positively correlated (r²  = 0.35), and both were positively correlated with R_Dk (r²  ≥ 0.6). R_L Laisk was systematically lower than R_L 13C by 0.4 μmol m^-2  s^-1 . Using A/C_c instead of A/C_i curves, a higher photocompensation point Γ* (by 5 μmol mol^-1 ) was found but no influence on R_L Laisk estimates was observed. The results imply that the Laisk method underestimates actual R_L significantly, probably related to the measurement condition of low CO₂ and irradiance. The isotopic disequilibrium method is useful for assessing responses of R_L to irradiance and CO₂ , improving our mechanistic understanding of R_L .

Effect of waterlogging on carbon isotope discrimination during photosynthesis in Larix gmelinii

Soil moisture is a major factor controlling carbon isotope discrimination (Δ¹³C), which has been demonstrated to decrease under dry conditions in many studies; however, few studies on Δ¹³C under waterlogging condition have been conducted. In this study, a pot experiment was conducted with Larix gmelinii, a major larch species in the east Siberian Taiga, to investigate the effect of waterlogging on Δ¹³C during photosynthesis. Assimilation rate and Δ¹³C_RD (instantaneous Δ¹³C calculated with Rayleigh distillation equation) decreased drastically soon after waterlogging, followed by recovery in their values, which was caused by a change in stomatal conductance. Thereafter, assimilation rate decreased gradually, whereas Δ¹³C_RD decreased more gently. These results were thought to be caused by the decrease in both stomatal conductance and carboxylation. Our results indicate that extreme wet events may cause a decrease in Δ¹³C, which is important information for detecting flooding events in the past using tree-ring isotope analyses and for studying impacts of flooding on plants in areas where waterlogging might occur.

Using Stable Carbon Isotopes to Study C3 and C4 Photosynthesis: Models and Calculations

Stable carbon isotopes are a powerful tool to study photosynthesis. Initial applications consisted of determining isotope ratios of plant biomass using mass spectrometry. Subsequently, theoretical models relating C-isotope values to gas exchange characteristics were introduced and tested against instantaneous online measurements of ¹³C photosynthetic discrimination. Beginning in the twenty-first century, tunable diode laser spectroscopes with sufficient precision for determining isotope mixing ratios became commercially available. This has allowed collection of large data sets, at low cost and with unprecedented temporal resolution. With more data and accompanying knowledge, it has become apparent that there is a need for increased complexity in models and calculations. This chapter describes instantaneous online measurements of ¹³C photosynthetic discrimination, provides recommendations for experimental setup, and presents a thorough compilation of equations needed for different applications.

Leaf day respiration: low CO2 flux but high significance for metabolism and carbon balance

Contents 986 I. 987 II. 987 III. 988 IV. 991 V. 992 VI. 995 VII. 997 VIII. 998 References 998 SUMMARY: It has been 75 yr since leaf respiratory metabolism in the light (day respiration) was identified as a low-flux metabolic pathway that accompanies photosynthesis. In principle, it provides carbon backbones for nitrogen assimilation and evolves CO₂ and thus impacts on plant carbon and nitrogen balances. However, for a long time, uncertainties have remained as to whether techniques used to measure day respiratory efflux were valid and whether day respiration responded to environmental gaseous conditions. In the past few years, significant advances have been made using carbon isotopes, 'omics' analyses and surveys of respiration rates in mesocosms or ecosystems. There is substantial evidence that day respiration should be viewed as a highly dynamic metabolic pathway that interacts with photosynthesis and photorespiration and responds to atmospheric CO₂ mole fraction. The view of leaf day respiration as a constant and/or negligible parameter of net carbon exchange is now outdated and it should now be regarded as a central actor of plant carbon-use efficiency.

Light inhibition of foliar respiration in response to soil water availability and seasonal changes in temperature in Mediterranean holm oak (Quercus ilex) forest

In the present study we investigated variations in leaf respiration in darkness (RD) and light (RL), and associated traits in response to season, and along a gradient of soil moisture, in Mediterranean woodland dominated by holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) in central and north-eastern Spain respectively. On seven occasions during the year in the central Spain site, and along the soil moisture gradient in north-eastern Spain, we measured rates of leaf RD, RL (using the Kok method), light-saturated photosynthesis (A) and related light response characteristics, leaf mass per unit area (MA) and leaf nitrogen (N) content. At the central Spain site, significant seasonal changes in soil water content and ambient temperature (T) were associated with changes in MA, foliar N, A and stomatal conductance. RD measured at the prevailing daily T and in instantaneous R-T responses, displayed signs of partial acclimation and was not significantly affected by time of year. RL was always less than, and strongly related to, RD, and RL/RD did not vary significantly or systematically with seasonal changes in T or soil water content. Averaged over the year, RL/RD was 0.66±0.05s.e. (n=14) at the central Spain site. At the north-eastern Spain site, the soil moisture gradient was characterised by increasing MA and RD, and reduced foliar N, A, and stomatal conductance as soil water availability decreased. Light inhibition of R occurred across all sites (mean RL/RD=0.69±0.01s.e. (n=18)), resulting in ratios of RL/A being lower than for RD/A. Importantly, the degree of light inhibition was largely insensitive to changes in soil water content. Our findings provide evidence for a relatively constrained degree of light inhibition of R (RL/RD ~ 0.7, or inhibition of ~30%) across gradients of water availability, although the combined impacts of seasonal changes in both T and soil water content increase the range of values expressed. The findings thus have implications in terms of the assumptions made by predictive models that seek to account for light inhibition of R, and for our understanding of how environmental gradients impact on leaf trait relationships in Mediterranean plant communities.

How do leaf and ecosystem measures of water-use efficiency compare?

The terrestrial carbon and water cycles are intimately linked: the carbon cycle is driven by photosynthesis, while the water balance is dominated by transpiration, and both fluxes are controlled by plant stomatal conductance. The ratio between these fluxes, the plant water-use efficiency (WUE), is a useful indicator of vegetation function. WUE can be estimated using several techniques, including leaf gas exchange, stable isotope discrimination, and eddy covariance. Here we compare global compilations of data for each of these three techniques. We show that patterns of variation in WUE across plant functional types (PFTs) are not consistent among the three datasets. Key discrepancies include the following: leaf-scale data indicate differences between needleleaf and broadleaf forests, but ecosystem-scale data do not; leaf-scale data indicate differences between C₃ and C₄ species, whereas at ecosystem scale there is a difference between C₃ and C₄ crops but not grasslands; and isotope-based estimates of WUE are higher than estimates based on gas exchange for most PFTs. Our study quantifies the uncertainty associated with different methods of measuring WUE, indicates potential for bias when using WUE measures to parameterize or validate models, and indicates key research directions needed to reconcile alternative measures of WUE.

Temperature response of mesophyll conductance in three C4 species calculated with two methods: 18 O discrimination and in vitro Vpmax

Mesophyll conductance (g_m ) is an important factor limiting rates of C₃ photosynthesis. However, its role in C₄ photosynthesis is poorly understood because it has been historically difficult to estimate. We use two methods to derive the temperature responses of g_m in C₄ species. The first (Δ¹⁸ O) combines measurements of gas exchange with models and measurements of ¹⁸ O discrimination. The second method (in vitro V_pmax ) derives g_m by retrofitting models of C₄ photosynthesis and ¹³ C discrimination with gas exchange, kinetic constants and in vitro V_pmax measurements. The two methods produced similar g_m for Setaria viridis and Zea mays. Additionally, we present the first temperature response (10-40°C) of C₄ g_m in S. viridis, Z. mays and Miscanthus × giganteus. Values for g_m at 25°C ranged from 2.90 to 7.85 μmol m^-2  s^-1  Pa^-1 . Our study demonstrated that: the two described methods are suitable to calculate g_m in C₄ species; g_m values in C₄ are similar to high-end values reported for C₃ species; and g_m increases with temperature analogous to reports for C₃ species and the response is species specific. These results improve our mechanistic understanding of C₄ photosynthesis.

Substantial role for carbonic anhydrase in latitudinal variation in mesophyll conductance of Populus trichocarpa Torr. & Gray

In Populus trichocarpa (black cottonwood), net photosynthesis (A_n ) varies with latitude and, in northern genotypes, is supported by higher stomatal conductance (g_s ). We report here a parallel cline in mesophyll conductance (g_m ) and link this variation to carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity. Using concurrent carbon isotope discrimination and chlorophyll fluorescence methods, we examined the effects of acetazolamide, an inhibitor of CA, on g_m in six representative genotypes (three from either end of the north-south cline). Acetazolamide reduced CA activity, g_m , g_s , chloroplast CO₂ concentration (C_c ) and A_n at normal CO₂ (400 μmol mol^-1 ), the latter being reversible at saturating CO₂ . Absolute reductions in A_n , g_m and CA activity were greater in northern genotypes than in southern genotypes (P < 0.025) but percent reductions were similar. In contrast, northern genotypes showed lower percent reduction in C_c compared to southern genotypes (P < 0.025). The northern genotypes had greater CA activity relative to both leaf area (two-fold) and mass (1.8-fold) (P < 0.016). The relationship between CA activity and g_m was similar whether the variation was inherent or inhibitor induced. We suggest that greater CA activity contributes to higher g_m in northern P. trichocarpa genotypes, but other diffusion pathway components may also be involved.

Carbon Isotope Composition of Carbohydrates and Polyols in Leaf and Phloem Sap of Phaseolus vulgaris L. Influences Predictions of Plant Water Use Efficiency

The use of carbon isotope abundance (δ(13)C) to assess plant carbon acquisition and water use has significant potential for use in crop management and plant improvement programs. Utilizing Phaseolus vulgaris L. as a model system, this study demonstrates the occurrence and sensitivity of carbon isotope fractionation during the onset of abiotic stresses between leaf and phloem carbon pools. In addition to gas exchange data, compound-specific measures of carbon isotope abundance and concentrations of soluble components of phloem sap were compared with major carbohydrate and sugar alcohol pools in leaf tissue. Differences in both δ(13)C and concentration of metabolites were found in leaf and phloem tissues, the magnitude of which responded to changing environmental conditions. These changes have inplications for the modeling of leaf-level gas exchange based upon δ(13)C natural abundance. Estimates of δ(13)C of low molecular weight carbohydrates and polyols increased the precision of predictions of water use efficiency compared with those based on bulk soluble carbon. The use of this technique requires consideration of the dynamics of the δ(13)C pool under investigation. Understanding the dynamics of changes in δ(13)C during movement and incorporation into heterotrophic tissues is vital for the continued development of tools that provide information on plant physiological performance relating to water use.

Carbon fluxes acclimate more strongly to elevated growth temperatures than to elevated CO2 concentrations in a northern conifer

Increasing temperatures and atmospheric CO2 concentrations will affect tree carbon fluxes, generating potential feedbacks between forests and the global climate system. We studied how elevated temperatures and CO2 impacted leaf carbon dynamics in Norway spruce (Picea abies), a dominant northern forest species, to improve predictions of future photosynthetic and respiratory fluxes from high-latitude conifers. Seedlings were grown under ambient (AC, c. 435 μmol mol(-1) ) or elevated (EC, 750 μmol mol(-1) ) CO2 concentrations at ambient, +4 °C, or +8 °C growing temperatures. Photosynthetic rates (Asat ) were high in +4 °C/EC seedlings and lowest in +8 °C spruce, implying that moderate, but not extreme, climate change may stimulate carbon uptake. Asat , dark respiration (Rdark ), and light respiration (Rlight ) rates acclimated to temperature, but not CO2 : the thermal optimum of Asat increased, and Rdark and Rlight were suppressed under warming. In all treatments, the Q10 of Rlight (the relative increase in respiration for a 10 °C increase in leaf temperature) was 35% higher than the Q10 of Rdark , so the ratio of Rlight to Rdark increased with rising leaf temperature. However, across all treatments and a range of 10-40 °C leaf temperatures, a consistent relationship between Rlight and Rdark was found, which could be used to model Rlight in future climates. Acclimation reduced daily modeled respiratory losses from warm-grown seedlings by 22-56%. When Rlight was modeled as a constant fraction of Rdark , modeled daily respiratory losses were 11-65% greater than when using measured values of Rlight . Our findings highlight the impact of acclimation to future climates on predictions of carbon uptake and losses in northern trees, in particular the need to model daytime respiratory losses from direct measurements of Rlight or appropriate relationships with Rdark .

Online CO2 and H2 O oxygen isotope fractionation allows estimation of mesophyll conductance in C4 plants, and reveals that mesophyll conductance decreases as leaves age in both C4 and C3 plants

Mesophyll conductance significantly, and variably, limits photosynthesis but we currently have no reliable method of measurement for C4 plants. An online oxygen isotope technique was developed to allow quantification of mesophyll conductance in C4 plants and to provide an alternative estimate in C3 plants. The technique is compared to an established carbon isotope method in three C3 species. Mesophyll conductance of C4 species was similar to that in the C3 species measured, and declined in both C4 and C3 species as leaves aged from fully expanded to senescing. In cotton leaves, simultaneous measurement of carbon and oxygen isotope discrimination allowed the partitioning of total conductance to the chloroplasts into cell wall and plasma membrane versus chloroplast membrane components, if CO2 was assumed to be isotopically equilibrated with cytosolic water, and the partitioning remained stable with leaf age. The oxygen isotope technique allowed estimation of mesophyll conductance in C4 plants and, when combined with well-established carbon isotope techniques, may provide additional information on mesophyll conductance in C3 plants.

Carbon isotope discrimination as a diagnostic tool for C4 photosynthesis in C3-C4 intermediate species

The presence and activity of the C4 cycle in C3-C4 intermediate species have proven difficult to analyze, especially when such activity is low. This study proposes a strategy to detect C4 activity and estimate its contribution to overall photosynthesis in intermediate plants, by using tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) coupled to gas exchange systems to simultaneously measure the CO2 responses of CO2 assimilation (A) and carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) under low O2 partial pressure. Mathematical models of C3-C4 photosynthesis and Δ are then fitted concurrently to both responses using the same set of constants. This strategy was applied to the intermediate species Flaveria floridana and F. brownii, and to F. pringlei and F. bidentis as C3 and C4 controls, respectively. Our results support the presence of a functional C4 cycle in F. floridana, that can fix 12-21% of carbon. In F. brownii, 75-100% of carbon is fixed via the C4 cycle, and the contribution of mesophyll Rubisco to overall carbon assimilation increases with CO2 partial pressure in both intermediate plants. Combined gas exchange and Δ measurement and modeling is a powerful diagnostic tool for C4 photosynthesis.