Photosynthesis, Respiration, and Climate Change (Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration, 48)

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) From the Series Editors Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration Including Bioenergy and Related Processes Volume 48: Photosynthesis, Respiration, and Climate Change Authors of volume 46 Our Books Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration Including Bioenergy and Related Processes Series Editors Contents Preface: Photosynthesis and Respiration in a Changing World The Editors Contributors Part I: Introduction Chapter 1: Leaf Carbon Flux Responses to Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities Summary I. Introduction II. Constraints on Plant Responses to Climate Change III. A Brief History of Global Change Biology Research in Photosynthesis and Respiration IV. Current Research Challenges V. Opportunities for Developing Climate-Resilient Plants VI. Conclusions Acknowledgments References Part II: Leaf-level Responses to Climate Change Chapter 2: Stomatal Responses to Climate Change Summary I. General Introduction II. Introduction to Stomata A. Factors Influencing Stomatal Responses B. Stomatal Anatomy: Intra- & Inter-Specific Variation C. Stomatal Density and Size D. Stomatal Development and Patterning E. Steady State and Kinetic Stomatal Responses III. Stomatal Responses to Changing Atmospheric CO2 Concentration A. [CO2], gs and Yield B. Physiological and Anatomical Changes in Stomatal Responses to [CO2] IV. Stomatal Responses to Water Stress A. Phenotypic Variability in Responses to Low Water Availability B. Physiological and Genetic Consequences of Low Soil Water Availability C. Improving Dynamic Water Use Efficiency D. Breeding for Improved Performance Under Drought E. Physiological and Genetic Consequences of Excess Water Availability V. Stomatal Responses to Temperature Stress A. The Direct Impact of Increasing Temperature B. Indirect Impact of Increasing Temperature: Vapor Pressure Deficit C. Night-Time Temperature Increases Also Affect Crop Productivity D. The Impact of Low Temperatures on Physiology VI. Interactions Between Factors Related to Climate Change A. CO2 Concentration and Drought B. CO2 Concentration and Elevated Temperature C. Drought and Heat Stress VII. Conclusion VIII. Outlook Acknowledgements References Chapter 3: Mesophyll Conductance to CO2 Diffusion in a Climate Change Scenario: Effects of Elevated CO2, Temperature and Water Stress Summary I. Introduction to Mesophyll Conductance II. Climate Change: CO2 A. Short Term Response 1. Controversies Regarding gm Changes Under Variable [CO2] 2. Mesophyll Conductance in C4 Plants: Response to [CO2] B. Long Term Impact of [CO2] 1. Photosynthesis Under Increased [CO2] 2. Mesophyll Conductance Response to Increased [CO2] gm Studies: Main Response to [CO2] Mechanistic Basis of gm Modification 3. Plant Performance Under Increased [CO2] Could Be Affected by gm 4. The Importance of Accounting for gm III. Climate Change: Temperature A. Short Term Response 1. Photosynthesis Response to Temperature 2. Mesophyll Conductance Response to Temperature Overall gm Response: Species- and Genotype-Specific Mechanistic Basis of gm Response B. Long Term Impact of Temperature 1. Photosynthesis Acclimation to Growth Temperature 2. Mesophyll Conductance Response to Growth Temperature No Clear Effect on gm Possible Mechanistic Basis 3. Temperature Response of gm in a Climate Change Context Small Temperature Increases (1–2 °C) Coupled with Elevated [CO2] IV. Climate Change: Water A. Mesophyll Conductance Declines Under Water Stress B. Water Stress Under Increased [CO2] V. Climate Change: Others A. Ozone B. Nutrients VI. Outlook Acknowledgements References Chapter 4: Photosynthetic Acclimation to Temperature and CO2: The Role of Leaf Nitrogen Summary I. Introduction II. Modeling the CO2 and Temperature Dependence of Photosynthesis III. Photosynthetic Acclimation to Rising CO2 IV. Photosynthetic Acclimation to Temperature V. Conclusions Acknowledgements References Chapter 5: Trichome Responses to Elevated Atmospheric CO2 of the Future Summary I. Introduction II. The Multiple Roles of Trichomes A. Herbivore Defense B. Temperature Regulation C. Boundary Layer Fortification D. UV-B & Photosystem II Protection E. Environmental Adaptation III. Trichome Responses to Elevated [CO2] IV. Molecular Mechanisms of Trichome Initiation and Patterning A. Trichome Initiation B. Negative Regulation and Patterning C. Phytohormones and Trichome Initiation D. Root Hair-Trichome Pleiotropy E. Molecular Mechanisms for Environmental Perturbations of Trichome Production V. Potential Mechanisms for Altered Trichome Densities at Elevated [CO2] A. Mechanism: Phytohormone Concentration Shifts B. Mechanism: Cuticle and Signal Transmission C. Mechanism: Flowering and Trichome Pleiotropy VI. Other Potential Mechanisms A. Anthocyanin and Trichome Pleiotropy B. Effects of Elevated [CO2] on Cell Division VII. Directions for Future Research A. Full-Leaf Trichome Patterning B. Differently Aged Leaves C. Ecological and Physiological Implications Acknowledgments References Part III: Population- and Community-Level Responses of Photosynthesis and Respiration to Climate Change Chapter 6: Intraspecific Variation in Plant Responses to Atmospheric CO2, Temperature, and Water Availability Summary I. Introduction II. Intraspecific Variation in Plant Response to Atmospheric CO2 A. Reproductive Responses to Atmospheric CO2 B. Growth and Biomass Responses to Atmospheric CO2 C. Photosynthetic, Stomatal, and Respiratory Responses to Atmospheric CO2 III. Intraspecific Variation in Plant Responses to Temperature A. Reproductive Responses to Temperature B. Growth and Biomass Responses to Temperature C. Photosynthetic, Stomatal, and Respiratory Responses to Temperature IV. Intraspecific Variation in Plant Responses to Water Availability A. Reproductive Responses to Water Availability B. Growth and Biomass Responses to Water Availability C. Photosynthetic, Stomatal, and Respiratory Responses to Water Availability V. Synthesis VI. Genetic Basis of Intraspecific Variation in Response to Environmental Change VII. Outlook Acknowledgements References Chapter 7: Tree Physiology and Intraspecific Responses to Extreme Events: Insights from the Most Extreme Heat Year in U.S. History Summary I. Introduction A. Extreme Events and Climate Change B. Physiological Responses of Trees to Extreme Events C. Intraspecific Variation in Response to Extreme Events D. Carbon Isotope Ratios: A Tool to Assess Intraspecific Variation for Response to Extreme Events II. Common Garden Study: Population-Level Variation of White Ash During the Most Extreme Year in U.S. History A. Materials and Methods 1. Study Species: Fraxinus americana (White Ash) 2. Common Garden and Experimental Site Conditions 3. Leaf Stable Carbon Isotope Measurements 4. Statistical Analysis B. Results and Discussion 1. Overall Responses 2. Leaf-Level δ13C Response During the Extreme Year of 2012 Relative to Non-extreme Years 3. Population-Level Variation in δ13C 4. Population Rank Order Across Years III. Conclusions and Future Directions Acknowledgements References Part IV: Responses of Plants with Carbon-Concentrating Mechanisms to Climate Change Chapter 8: Terrestrial CO2-Concentrating Mechanisms in a High CO2 World Summary I. Introduction II. Physiological Context A. Carboxylation and Oxygenation by Rubisco B. Photosynthetic Responses to CO2 and Temperature in C3 and C4 Plants C. Water and Nitrogen Use Efficiencies of C3 and C4 Plants D. CAM Photosynthesis E. C2 Photosynthesis III. Acclimation and Adaptation to CO2 Enrichment A. Acclimation to Elevated CO2 B. Adaptation to Elevated CO2 IV. The Terrestrial CCM Flora A. C4 Life-Forms B. CAM Life-Forms C. C2 Life-Forms V. History of Carbon-Concentrating Mechanisms VI. Global Change Drivers A. Atmospheric CO2 Enrichment B. Climate Warming C. Land Transformation D. Exploitation of Natural Species E. Terrestrial Eutrophication F. Exotic Species Invasions VII. The Future of Terrestrial Carbon Concentrating Mechanisms A. CO2 Enrichment of Natural Communities with C3 and C4 Plants B. Case Studies of Natural C3 and C4 Vegetation in a High-CO2 World 1. The Future of C4-Dominated Saltmarshes 2. The Future of C4-Dominated Grasslands and Savannas 3. The Future of the Earth’s CAM Diversity 4. The Future of the Earth’s C2 Flora VIII. Conclusion References Chapter 9: The Outlook for C4 Crops in Future Climate Scenarios Summary I. Introduction II. C4 Grasses Are Ecologically and Economically Important A. Rubisco B. The Evolution C4 Photosynthesis C. C4 Ecophysiology D. C4 Subtypes III. Overview of the Main C4 Crops A. Maize B. Sorghum C. Sugarcane and Millets IV. Climate Change Interacts with Global Food Security V. How Tolerant Are C4 Plants to Water Stress? A. Effect of Water Stress on C4 Photosynthesis B. Can C4 Crops Help Sustain Fresh Water Supplies? VI. Role of Elevated Temperatures on Shifting Future Geographic Distributions of C4 Crops A. Effect of High Temperature on C4 Photosynthesis B. Warming Experiments with C4 Crops VII. Can Elevated CO2 Be Beneficial to C4 Crops? A. Response of C4 Plants to Elevated CO2 Under Non-limited Water Availability B. Interaction of Water Availability with the Response of C4 Plants to Elevated CO2 C. Interaction of Temperature with the Response of C4 Plants to Elevated CO2 VIII. Future Outlook for C4 Crops A. Climate Change Is Having Profound Impacts on Crop Yield and Quality Worldwide B. What Does the Future Hold for C4 Crops? Acknowledgements References Chapter 10: Climate Change Responses and Adaptations in Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) Plants Summary I. Introduction A. Global Climate Change B. Climate Resilient Water-Use Efficient Crops II. Crassulacean Acid Metabolism A. Metabolic Plasticity of CAM B. Flexible Engagement of CAM C. Habitat Diversity of CAM Plants III. Co-Adaptive Traits of CAM Plants A. Tissue Succulence B. Water Capture and Storage Strategies C. Thickened Cuticles and Epicuticular Waxes D. Reduced Stomatal Density E. Enhanced Stomatal Responsiveness F. High-Light and UV-Light Protection G. Rectifier-Like Roots IV. Environmental Effects on CAM Photosynthesis A. Responses to Atmospheric CO2 Enrichment B. Responses to Increasing Temperatures C. Water-Use Efficiency and Productivity of CAM Plants V. Productivity Modeling of Major CAM Crop Species A. Environmental Productivity Index Modeling B. Biochemical Models of CAM Productivity C. Coupling Biochemical Models to Field Predictions D. Assessing Environmental and Economic Potential VI. CAM Species as Bioenergy Feedstocks A. Low Lignin Content Herbaceous Feedstocks B. Pretreatment and Digestion Strategies VII. Mechanical and Thermal Degradation VIII. Chemical Degradation IX. Biological Degradation X. Conversion to Ethanol XI. Conversion to Biogas XII. Carbon Sequestration Using CAM Species A. Terrestrial Carbon Sequestration Strategies B. Agroecosystems to Combat Climate Change C. Urban Strategies for Carbon Sequestration XIII. CAM Biodesign XIV. Outlook Acknowledgements References Part V: Engineering Photosynthesis for Climate Change Chapter 11: Engineering Photosynthetic CO2 Assimilation to Develop New Crop Varieties to Cope with Future Climates Summary I. Threat of Climate Change to Agricultural Production II. Rubisco Catalytic and Structural Diversity and the Requirement for Rubisco Activase A. Rubisco Bifunctional Catalysis Underpins Plant Growth and Yield B. Rubisco Structural Properties C. Rubisco Activation, Complex Catalysis and the Requirement for Rubisco Activase D. The Thermal Sensitivity of Rubisco Activase Limits Photosynthetic CO2 Assimilation Under Elevated Temperatures and Is a Target for Improvement E. Natural Diversity in Rubisco Kinetics F. Modelling the Impacts of Rubisco Catalytic Diversity for C3 Chloroplasts and High CO2 Environments III. Synthetic Biology (SynBio) Approaches to Improve Carbon Assimilation A. Plant Rubisco Assembly in E. coli B. Utilizing the E. coli Plant Rubisco Platform C. Transplanting Bacterial Microcompartments into Higher Plant Chloroplasts D. Prospects for Transplanting an Algal CCM into Higher Plants E. Transplanting the NADP-ME Subtype CCM into Higher Plants IV. Engineering Rubisco into Key Crops A. Strategies for Manipulating Rubisco and Rubisco Activase V. Conclusions Acknowledgements References Chapter 12: With a Little Help from My Friends: The Central Role of Photorespiration and Related Metabolic Processes in the Acclimation and Adaptation of Plants to Oxygen and to Low-CO2 Stress Summary I. Introduction II. A Bird’s-Eye View at the Core Pathway A. 2-Phosphoglycolate Is Dephosphorylated in the Chloroplast B. Glycolate Is Converted to Glycine in the Peroxisome C. Mitochondrial Enzymes Convert Glycine to a Three-Carbon Compound, Serine D. Back in the Peroxisome, Hydroxypyruvate Is Produced from Serine and Becomes Oxidized to Glycerate E. Phosphorylation of Glycerate to 3PGA Completes the Photorespiratory Pathway III. Photorespiration Interacts with Other Metabolism and Requires Secondary-Level Repair Pathways A. Regulatory Interaction with the Calvin-Benson Cycle B. Photorespiration and Photoinhibition C. Photorespiration and Stomatal Regulation D. Metabolite Shuttles E. Nitrogen Metabolism F. TCA Cycle, Respiratory Electron Transport Chain, Oxidative Phosphorylation IV. Past and Future of Photorespiration A. Early Steps B. Eukaryote Evolution in a Nutshell C. Plant Photorespiration: A Blend of Archaeal and Bacterial Enzymes D. Crop Improvement V. Outlook Acknowledgements References Index