An eco-evolutionary optimality model explains the acclimated temperature response of photosynthesis
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The optimal temperature of net photosynthesis (Topt) generally increases with plant growth temperature. Changes in Topt are associated with changes in the maximum carboxylation capacity at 25 °C (Vcmax25) and the maximum electron transport rate at 25 °C (Jmax25). The ratio between Jmax25 and Vcmax25 declines with warming. Accurate representation of leaf-level photosynthetic responses to temperature is essential for realistic projections of the terrestrial carbon cycle and its response to ongoing climate changes. However, many land-surface models incorporate thermal acclimation through empirical approaches and through assigning distinct but static parameter values to plant functional types (PFTs). Eco-evolutionary optimality approaches provide a simpler way of modelling photosynthesis without recourse to PFTs. Here we use the sub-daily P model, an eco-evolutionary optimality-based model of photosynthesis that explicitly separates the instantaneous and acclimated responses of photosynthetic parameters to temperature to investigate how optimal temperature changes with growth temperature, as represented by leaf or air temperature. We show that the simulated responses are consistent with observations from both controlled experiments and eddy-covariance flux tower data. We show that changes in Topt, and in the assimilation rate at Topt, are caused by changes in carboxylation capacity and electron transport rate that follow directly from the hypotheses underlying the model.
Date Issued
2026-06-01
Date Acceptance
2026-02-13
Citation
New Phytologist, 2026, 250 (5), pp.2884-2899
ISSN
0028-646X
Publisher
Wiley
Start Page
2884
End Page
2899
Journal / Book Title
New Phytologist
Volume
250
Issue
5
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.71062
Subjects
acclimated temperature response
eco-evolutionary optimality
growth temperature
photosynthetic temperature responses
plant acclimation
V cmax
J max
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2026-04-02