Life Sciences Commons^™

Globally, photosynthesis accounts for the largest flux of CO2 from the atmosphere into ecosystems and is the driving process for terrestrial ecosystem function. The importance of accurate predictions of photosynthesis over a range of plant growth conditions led to the development of a C3 photosynthesis model by Farquhar, von Caemmerer & Berry that has become increasingly important as society places greater pressures on vegetation. The photosynthesis model has played a major role in defining the path towards scientific understanding of photosynthetic carbon uptake and the role of photosynthesis on regulating the earth's climate and biogeochemical systems. In this review, we …

Maize, in rotation with soybean, forms the largest continuous ecosystem in temperate North America, therefore changes to the biosphere-atmosphere exchange of water vapor and energy of these crops are likely to have an impact on the Midwestern US climate and hydrological cycle. As a C4 crop, maize photosynthesis is already CO2-saturated at current CO2 concentrations ([CO2]) and the primary response of maize to elevated [CO2] is decreased stomatal conductance (gs). If maize photosynthesis is not stimulated in elevated [CO2], then reduced gs is not offset by greater canopy leaf area, which could potentially result in a greater ET reduction relative …

The objective of this paper is to analyze and discuss the impact of land use change due to

bioenergy on Midwestern US hydrology. Together, soybean and maize form the largest single

ecosystem type of the contiguous United States. This agro-ecosystem represents the largest single

land-use in the Midwestern US and dominates regional ecosystem services such as food

production, water quality, evaporation of water to the atmosphere, nutrient cycling, carbon

sequestration, as well as other services. In addition to being two of the dominant food crops

grown throughout the US and the world, these two crops represent the dominant feedstocks used …