In this section
@article{Gan:2026,
author = {Gan, W and Garen, J and Michaletz, S and Prentice, C and Harrison, SP},
journal = {New Phytologist},
title = {Thermal acclimation as an emergent property ofeconomically optimal photosynthesis},
year = {2026}
}
TY - JOUR
AB - Leaf-level photosynthesis acclimates to growth conditions over days to weeks, resulting in the instantaneous optimal temperature for photosynthesis (Topt) increasing with growth temperature (Tgrowth). This widely observed behaviour is reproduced as an emergent property of the P model, a generic model of primary production based on eco-evolutionary optimality hypotheses. We show, through comparisons with an experimental data set on the photosynthetic characteristics of three herbaceous plant species grown at different temperatures, that the P model yields a realistic linear increase in Topt with Tgrowth and a realistic peaked relationship between the photosynthetic rate at Topt (Aopt) and Tgrowth. These responses emerge primarily from thermal acclimation of a stomatal sensitivity parameter ;@= that determines the ratio of internal to ambient CO2 (ci:ca) and its sensitivity to vapour pressure deficit, without requiring any change in enzyme kinetics. Furthermore, the decline in Aopt at high growth temperatures, often attributed to heat stress, can be explained by the narrowing gap between Topt and Tgrowth as Tgrowth increases, a direct consequence of the @> ) Topt shift having a slope < 1. The P model as implemented here provides a mechanistic explanation for observed trends in Topt and Aopt with growth temperature, and additionally provides a scalable approach for improving representation of biochemical and stomatal acclimation in land surface models.Keywords: Eco-evolutionary optimality; P model; temperature acclimation; photosynthetic parameters; electron transport; carboxylation; vapour pressure deficit
AU - Gan,W
AU - Garen,J
AU - Michaletz,S
AU - Prentice,C
AU - Harrison,SP
PY - 2026///
SN - 0028-646X
TI - Thermal acclimation as an emergent property ofeconomically optimal photosynthesis
T2 - New Phytologist
ER -
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