Terrestrial Photosynthesis in a Changing Environment
A Molecular, Physiological, and Ecological Approach

An integrated guide to photosynthesis in an environmentally dynamic context, covering all aspects from basic concepts to methodologies.

Jaume Flexas (Edited by), Francesco Loreto (Edited by), Hipólito Medrano (Edited by)

9780521899413, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 19 July 2012

752 pages, 213 b/w illus. 31 tables
25.1 x 19.3 x 4 cm, 1.72 kg

'Flexas, Loreto and Medrano have edited a very useful and comprehensive multiauthor book, with contributions from leaders in the field, that provides an integrated guide to the issue of photosynthesis and its responses to a changing environment. To my mind, there is no other book like it and the editors have filled a significant gap in the field of plant ecophysiology. The book is well written and well conceived and will hopefully be widely read by university students, professors, and researchers in these diverse fields. [It] will thus contribute greatly to the fostering of 'photosynthetic thinking' in young (and old) biologists of all sorts. I will pass my … copy on to my students, and I would strongly recommend the book. It is one that we plant scientists must have on our shelves for continual reference.' Josep Penuelas, Trends in Ecology and Evolution

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.

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.

Subject Areas: Phycology, algae & lichens [PSTV], Plant ecology [PSTS], Plant pathology & diseases [PSTP], Plant reproduction & propagation [PSTL], Plant physiology [PSTD], Botany & plant sciences [PST]