Photosynthesis Respiration And Climate Change

Changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and global climate conditions have altered photosynthesis and plant respiration across both geologic and contemporary time scales. Understanding climate change effects on plant carbon dynamics is critical for predicting plant responses to future growing conditions. Furthermore, demand for biofuel, fibre and food production is rapidly increasing with the ever-expanding global human population, and our ability to meet these demands is exacerbated by climate change. This volume integrates physiological, ecological, and evolutionary perspectives on photosynthesis and respiration responses to climate change. We explore this topic in the context of modeling plant responses to climate, including physiological mechanisms that constrain carbon assimilation and the potential for plants to acclimate to rising carbon dioxide concentration, warming temperatures and drought. Additional chapters contrast climate change responses in natural and agricultural ecosystems, where differences in climate sensitivity between different photosynthetic pathways can influence community and ecosystem processes. Evolutionary studies over past and current time scales provide further insight into evolutionary changes in photosynthetic traits, the emergence of novel plant strategies, and the potential for rapid evolutionary responses to future climate conditions. Finally, we discuss novel approaches to engineering photosynthesis and photorespiration to improve plant productivity for the future. The overall goals for this volume are to highlight recent advances in photosynthesis and respiration research, and to identify key challenges to understanding and scaling plant physiological responses to climate change. The integrated perspectives and broad scope of research make this volume an excellent resource for both students and researchers in many areas of plant science, including plant physiology, ecology, evolution, climate change, and biotechnology. For this volume, 37 experts contributed chapters that span modeling, empirical, and applied research on photosynthesis and respiration responses to climate change. Authors represent the following seven countries: Australia (6); Canada (9), England (5), Germany (2), Spain (3), and the United States (12).

Climate change will likely affect the carbon balance of terrestrial soils via shifts in photosynthetic carbon input relative to soil respiratory CO2 loss. This review is focused on the effects of enhanced temperature and altered precipitation on soil respiration—that is, the sum of autotrophic root and heterotrophic microbial respiration. We highlight key processes that determine the substrate supply for the microbial decomposer community. These processes include (i) root exudation of low-molecular carbon compounds, (ii) enzymatic degradation of labile and recalcitrant soil organic matter (SOM) and (iii) physicochemical protection of SOM. The sensitivities of these processes to soil temperature and moisture differ, aggravating mechanistic interpretation of bulk soil respiration in response to global change. Variation in soil respiration can also result from acclimation of autotrophic root respiration, or shifts in microbial carbon use efficiency. On the basis of such key processes, we evaluate the apparent flexibility of instantaneous temperature responses of soil respiration.

The use of fossil fuels results in rising CO2 and other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, causing global temperature rise and climate change that will negatively impact human health, the food supply, and eventually worsen hunger and misery. Presently, fossil fuels meet 88% of the energy demand, resulting in rising CO2/GHG emissions at alarming rates. The increased use of biofuels would help to mitigate climate change. Efficiently designing methods for the production of biofuels and plant-derived high-value products requires a deeper understanding of photosynthetic processes as a prerequisite for applying novel biotechnologies. Accordingly, this book provides ample information and a wealth of illustrative examples. The book’s eighteen richly illustrated chapters are divided into three thematic parts. I: Photosynthesis and Biomass Production under Changing Conditions, II: Microalgae and Engineered Crops for Production of Biofuels and High-value Products, and III: Genetic Resources and Engineering Methods to Improve Crop Plants. Readers will find the latest information on the molecular basis of photosynthetic processes in plants (including the regulatory principles that allow plants to maintain homeostasis under changing conditions), stress resistance and synthetic pathways. In addition, the basic principles of important biotechnologies, as well as examples of specially designed crops capable of growing under stress conditions with improved productivity, are presented. The book sets the course for future research in the field of biofuel development and production and provides both general and specific information for students, teachers, academic researchers, industrial teams, and general readers who are interested in new developments concerning the production of biofuels with value-added properties.

This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Forest Soil Respiration under Climate Changing" that was published in Forests

Photosynthesis, Global Climate Change, and Food Production The process of photosynthesis has a theoretical efficiency of 30%, but in reality the efficiency is much lower. It is only about 3% on cloudy days. Why is so much solar energy lost? There are a number of factors contributing to this energy loss, and one metabolic pathway that contributes to this low efficiency is photorespiration. All biomes are affected by global conditions, such as climate, that ultimately shape each biome's environment. Scientists who study climate have noted a series of marked changes that have gradually become increasingly evident during the last sixty years. Global climate change is the term used to describe altered global weather patterns, including a worldwide increase in temperature, due largely to rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Chapter Outline: Photosynthetic Pathways Climate and the Effects of Global Climate Change Human Population Continues to Grow The Open Courses Library introduces you to the best Open Source Courses.

Photosynthesis, Photorespiration, and Plant Productivity provides a basis for understanding the main factors concerned with regulating plant productivity in plant communities. The book describes photosynthesis and other processes that affect the productivity of plants from the standpoint of enzyme chemistry, chloroplasts, leaf cells, and single leaves. Comprised of nine chapters, the book covers the biochemical and photochemical aspects of photosynthesis; respiration associated with photosynthetic tissues; and photosynthesis and plant productivity in single leaves and in stands. It provides illustrated and diagrammatic discussion and presents the concepts in outlined form to help readers understand the concepts efficiently. Moreover, this book explores the rates of enzymatic reactions and the detailed structure and function of chloroplasts and other organelles and their variability. It explains the mechanism of photosynthetic electron transport and phosphorylation and the importance of diffusive resistances to carbon dioxide assimilation, especially the role of stomata. It also discusses the importance of dark respiration in diminishing productivity; the differences in net photosynthesis that occur between many species and varieties; and the influence of climate to photosynthetic reactions. The book is an excellent reference for teachers, as well as undergraduate and graduate students in biology, plant physiology, and agriculture. Research professionals working on the disciplines of plant production and food supply will also find this book invaluable.

Responding to the issues and challenges of teaching and learning about climate change from a science education-based perspective, this book is designed to serve as an aid for educators as they strive to incorporate the topic into their classes. The unique discussion of these issues is drawn from the perspectives of leading and international scholars in the field. The book is structured around three themes: theoretical, philosophical, and conceptual frameworks for climate change education and research; research on teaching and learning about global warming and climate change; and approaches to professional development and classroom practice.