Estimating the sensitivity of stomatal conductance to photosynthesis: a review

• Published in: Plant, cell and environment Vol. 40; no. 7; pp. 1214 - 1238
• Main Authors: Miner, Grace L., Bauerle, William L., Baldocchi, Dennis D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.07.2017
• Subjects: Ball–Berry; Ball–Berry–Leuning; Canopies; Carbon dioxide; Carbon Dioxide - metabolism; Conductance; coupled conductance and photosynthesis models; Estimates; Estimation; Fluxes; Fruits; Growth conditions; Measurement techniques; Models, Biological; Optimization; Photosynthesis; Photosynthesis - physiology; Plant Stomata - physiology; Resistance; Reviews; Species; Stomata; Stomatal conductance; stomatal optimization; Transpiration; Water stress; Ball-Berry; stomatal conductance; transpiration; stomatal optimization; Ball-Berry-Leuning; coupled conductance and photosynthesis models
• ISSN: 0140-7791; 1365-3040
• DOI: 10.1111/pce.12871

A common approach for estimating fluxes of CO2 and water in canopy models is to couple a model of photosynthesis (An) to a semi‐empirical model of stomatal conductance (gs) such as the widely validated and utilized Ball–Berry (BB) model. This coupling provides an effective way of predicting transpiration at multiple scales. However, the designated value of the slope parameter (m) in the BB model impacts transpiration estimates. There is a lack of consensus regarding how m varies among species or plant functional types (PFTs) or in response to growth conditions. Literature values are highly variable, with inter‐species and intra‐species variations of >100%, and comparisons are made more difficult because of differences in collection techniques. This paper reviews the various methods used to estimate m and highlights how variations in measurement techniques or the data utilized can influence the resultant m. Additionally, this review summarizes the reported responses of m to [CO2] and water stress, collates literature values by PFT and compiles nearly three decades of values into a useful compendium. A common approach for estimating fluxes of CO2 and water in leaf and canopy models is to couple a biochemical model of photosynthesis to a semi‐empirical model of stomatal conductance, such as the widely validated Ball–Berry model (e.g. Ball et al. 1987). The designated value of the slope parameter (m) in the Ball–Berry model influences transpiration estimates, but there is a lack of consensus regarding how m varies among species or plant functional types (PFTs) or in response to growth conditions, and literature values are highly variable. This review explores the techniques utilized to collect m, discusses factors that can influence estimates and compiles and synthesizes the reported values of m by species, PFT and growth conditions for the Ball–Berry, Ball–Berry–Leuning and unified stomatal optimization models.