The effect of the vertical gradients of photosynthetic parameters on the CO2 assimilation and transpiration of a Panamanian tropical forest

• DOI: 10.1111/nph.18901
• Publication Date: 2023-03-24T06:41:13Z
• Authors: Julien Lamour; Kenneth J. Davidson; Kim S. Ely; Gilles Le Moguédec; Jeremiah A. Anderson; Qianyu Li; Osvaldo Calderón; Charles D. Koven; S. Joseph Wright; Anthony P. Walker; Shawn P. Serbin; Alistair Rogers
• Keywords: Stomatal Conductance; Tree canopy

Summary Terrestrial biosphere models (TBMs) include the representation of vertical gradients in leaf traits associated with modeling photosynthesis, respiration, and stomatal conductance. However, model assumptions these have not been tested complex tropical forest canopies. We compared TBM key measurements made a Panama then quantified impact observed on simulated canopy‐scale CO 2 water fluxes. Comparison between trait showed divergence that impacted simulations vapor exchange. Notably, ratio dark respiration rate maximum carboxylation was lower near ground than at top‐of‐canopy, leaf‐level water‐use efficiency markedly higher decrease from top‐of‐canopy to less assumptions. The TBMs is typically derived within‐individual plants, or, for some traits, assumed constant due lack experimental data. Our work shows are representative species‐rich, forests.