In this section
@article{Sandoval:2026:10.1111/nph.71303,
author = {Sandoval, Calle D and Flo, V and Morfopoulos, C and Prentice, IC},
doi = {10.1111/nph.71303},
journal = {New Phytologist},
title = {Environmental influences on the maximum quantum yield of terrestrial primary production},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/nph.71303},
year = {2026}
}
TY - JOUR
AB - Historically, terrestrial biosphere models (TBMs) have assigned the intrinsic (maximum) quantum yield of photosynthesis () a constant value for each plant functional type. However, experimental studies have shown that – when measured on light adapted leaves – depends on temperature. It is unclear whether this dependence is universal or biome-specific; how it is manifested at the ecosystem level; and how it should be represented in TBMs. By fitting empirical light-response curves to a global set of eddy-covariance CO2 flux measurements and correcting for photorespiration, we inferred apparent, ecosystem level values and their temperature responses across a wide range of environments. The temperature response of apparent ecosystem-level follows a universal bell shaped curve. The shape of this curve does not markedly differ among biomes, but the maximum value of decreases with increasing aridity, its temperature optimum increases with increasing growth temperature, and its sensitivity to temperature increases as growth temperature declines. Our model for () aligns with recent theory highlighting the role of cytochrome b6f in regulating the light reactions of photosynthesis. If implemented in TBMs, this model should allow better predictions of the responses of terrestrial ecosystem function to a warming climate.
AU - Sandoval,Calle D
AU - Flo,V
AU - Morfopoulos,C
AU - Prentice,IC
DO - 10.1111/nph.71303
PY - 2026///
SN - 0028-646X
TI - Environmental influences on the maximum quantum yield of terrestrial primary production
T2 - New Phytologist
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/nph.71303
ER -
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