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

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.

Table of Contents:
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.

About the Author :
Jaume Flexas is Associate Professor of Plant Physiology and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Sciences at Universitat de les Illes Balears, Palma de Mallorca, Spain. His research focuses on plant ecophysiology and photosynthesis. He received the Young Scientist Award (plant physiology) from the Federation of European Societies of Plant Biology in 2006. Francesco Loreto is Research Director at the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per la Protezione delle Piante, Firenze, Italy. He studies the interaction between biosphere and atmosphere with emphasis on biosynthesis and emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds and on primary and secondary metabolism of plants under environmental constraints. Hipólito Medrano is Professor of Plant Physiology and Director of the Biology Department at Universitat de les Illes Balears, Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Over the past ten years he and his research group, 'Plant Ecophysiology under Mediterranean Conditions', have focused on achieving continued progress in the fields of photosynthesis, carbon and water flow and water use efficiency.

Review :
'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