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Plant adaptation to rising atmospheric CO2
In this research I'm investigating how the photosynthesis and transpiration of plants changes depending on the CO2 level under which plants have grown up. I think this question is very important to answer because plants play and important role in hydrological cycle and the carbon cycle. Plants influence these cycles at a global scale because they assimilate carbon by photosynthesis and simultaneously transpire water through microscopically small stomatal pores in their leaves (see the image below). This role becomes even more intriguing when you consider that the current rise in atmospheric CO2 concentrations has a direct effect on the transpiration and photosynthesis of plants. The extent to which plants influence global fluxes of water and carbon are recognized as key uncertainties in climate change predictions.
In this research I'm investigating how the photosynthesis and transpiration of plants changes depending on the CO2 level under which plants have grown up. I think this question is very important to answer because plants play and important role in hydrological cycle and the carbon cycle. Plants influence these cycles at a global scale because they assimilate carbon by photosynthesis and simultaneously transpire water through microscopically small stomatal pores in their leaves (see the image below). This role becomes even more intriguing when you consider that the current rise in atmospheric CO2 concentrations has a direct effect on the transpiration and photosynthesis of plants. The extent to which plants influence global fluxes of water and carbon are recognized as key uncertainties in climate change predictions.
Leaf gas exchange occurs though stomata. Guard cells open and close the stomata (shown in the middle microscope image) to regulate photosynthesis and transpiration at short timescales. Plants also adjust the number and size of their stomata through developmental responses to rising CO2 at (multi)decadal timescales. This study focusses on how these responses combined influence photosynthesis and transpiration.
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