Environmental influences on the maximum quantum yield of terrestrial primary production
File(s)
Author(s)
Sandoval Calle, David
Flo, Victor
Morfopoulos, Catherine
Prentice, Iain Colin
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Historically, terrestrial biosphere models (TBMs) have assigned the intrinsic (maximum) quantum yield of photosynthesis (𝜑) a constant value for each plant functional type. However, experimental studies have shown that 𝜑 – 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 𝜑values and their temperature responses across a wide range of environments. The temperature response of apparent ecosystem-level 𝜑 follows a universal bell shaped curve. The shape of this curve does not markedly differ among biomes, but the maximum value of 𝜑 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 𝜑(𝑇) 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.
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 𝜑values and their temperature responses across a wide range of environments. The temperature response of apparent ecosystem-level 𝜑 follows a universal bell shaped curve. The shape of this curve does not markedly differ among biomes, but the maximum value of 𝜑 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 𝜑(𝑇) 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.
Date Issued
2026-05-27
Date Acceptance
2026-05-05
Citation
New Phytologist, 2026
ISSN
0028-646X
Publisher
Wiley
Journal / Book Title
New Phytologist
Copyright Statement
© 2026 The Author(s). New Phytologist © 2026 New Phytologist Foundation. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
License URL
Identifier
10.1111/nph.71303
Subjects
aridity
b6f
efficiency
GPP
photosynthesis
quantum
temperature
yield
Publication Status
Published online
Date Publish Online
2026-05-27