Effects of conifer sustained quenching on sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence emission

Conifers retain their leaves in winter and downregulate photosynthesis. Remote sensing of coniferous forests based on measurements of sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) seems a suitable tool to estimate forest photosynthesis, but little is known about the effects of downregulation of photosynthesis on the SIF signal. By installing a novel FloX field spectrometer at a coniferous forest research site in Canada, I will study the effects of downregulation of photosynthesis on the SIF signal. I hypothesize that the transition to sustained quenching in winter, which is a protective mechanism of conifers in adaptation to cold, reduces the emission of the SIF signal, and more specifically, affects its two features F760 and F687. The study will contribute to a better understanding of the F760 and F687 signals and thus bring forward remote sensing estimations of forest photosynthetic capacity, which is relevant for monitoring of forest productivity and global carbon cycling.

Faculty Supervisor:

Altaf Arain

Student:

Partner:

Forschungszentrum Jülich

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Forestry; Environmental Science and Technology; Sustainability & the Environment

University:

McMaster University

Program: