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

Jaume Flexas · Francesco Loreto · Hipólito Medrano

Jul 2012 · Cambridge University Press

About this ebook

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.

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.