Estimation of intrinsic water-use efficiency from δ13C signature of C3 leaves: Assumptions and uncertainty

Carbon isotope composition (δ13C) has been widely used to estimate the intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE) of plants in ecosystems around the world, providing an ultimate record of the functional response of plants to climate change. This approach relies on established relationships between leaf g...

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Main Authors: Wei Ting Ma, Yong Zhi Yu, Xuming Wang, Xiao Ying Gong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-01-01
Series:Frontiers in Plant Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2022.1037972/full
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author Wei Ting Ma
Yong Zhi Yu
Xuming Wang
Xuming Wang
Xiao Ying Gong
Xiao Ying Gong
Xiao Ying Gong
author_facet Wei Ting Ma
Yong Zhi Yu
Xuming Wang
Xuming Wang
Xiao Ying Gong
Xiao Ying Gong
Xiao Ying Gong
author_sort Wei Ting Ma
collection DOAJ
description Carbon isotope composition (δ13C) has been widely used to estimate the intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE) of plants in ecosystems around the world, providing an ultimate record of the functional response of plants to climate change. This approach relies on established relationships between leaf gas exchange and isotopic discrimination, which are reflected in different formulations of 13C-based iWUE models. In the current literature, most studies have utilized the simple, linear equation of photosynthetic discrimination to estimate iWUE. However, recent studies demonstrated that using this linear model for quantitative studies of iWUE could be problematic. Despite these advances, there is a scarcity of review papers that have comprehensively reviewed the theoretical basis, assumptions, and uncertainty of 13C-based iWUE models. Here, we 1) present the theoretical basis of 13C-based iWUE models: the classical model (iWUEsim), the comprehensive model (iWUEcom), and the model incorporating mesophyll conductance (iWUEmes); 2) discuss the limitations of the widely used iWUEsim model; 3) and make suggestions on the application of the iWUEmes model. Finally, we suggest that a mechanistic understanding of mesophyll conductance associated effects and post-photosynthetic fractionation are the bottlenecks for improving the 13C-based estimation of iWUE.
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spelling doaj.art-94b2bbd6cb1e4e1fb8afcae9859d47bc2023-01-12T05:03:33ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Plant Science1664-462X2023-01-011310.3389/fpls.2022.10379721037972Estimation of intrinsic water-use efficiency from δ13C signature of C3 leaves: Assumptions and uncertaintyWei Ting Ma0Yong Zhi Yu1Xuming Wang2Xuming Wang3Xiao Ying Gong4Xiao Ying Gong5Xiao Ying Gong6Key Laboratory for Subtropical Mountain Ecology (Ministry of Science and Technology and Fujian Province Funded), College of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, ChinaKey Laboratory for Subtropical Mountain Ecology (Ministry of Science and Technology and Fujian Province Funded), College of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, ChinaKey Laboratory for Subtropical Mountain Ecology (Ministry of Science and Technology and Fujian Province Funded), College of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, ChinaKey Laboratory for Humid Subtropical Eco-Geographical Processes of the Ministry of Education, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, ChinaKey Laboratory for Subtropical Mountain Ecology (Ministry of Science and Technology and Fujian Province Funded), College of Geographical Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, ChinaKey Laboratory for Humid Subtropical Eco-Geographical Processes of the Ministry of Education, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, ChinaFujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Eco-physiology, Fuzhou, ChinaCarbon isotope composition (δ13C) has been widely used to estimate the intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE) of plants in ecosystems around the world, providing an ultimate record of the functional response of plants to climate change. This approach relies on established relationships between leaf gas exchange and isotopic discrimination, which are reflected in different formulations of 13C-based iWUE models. In the current literature, most studies have utilized the simple, linear equation of photosynthetic discrimination to estimate iWUE. However, recent studies demonstrated that using this linear model for quantitative studies of iWUE could be problematic. Despite these advances, there is a scarcity of review papers that have comprehensively reviewed the theoretical basis, assumptions, and uncertainty of 13C-based iWUE models. Here, we 1) present the theoretical basis of 13C-based iWUE models: the classical model (iWUEsim), the comprehensive model (iWUEcom), and the model incorporating mesophyll conductance (iWUEmes); 2) discuss the limitations of the widely used iWUEsim model; 3) and make suggestions on the application of the iWUEmes model. Finally, we suggest that a mechanistic understanding of mesophyll conductance associated effects and post-photosynthetic fractionation are the bottlenecks for improving the 13C-based estimation of iWUE.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2022.1037972/fullwater-use efficiencycarbon isotope discriminationmesophyll conductancepost-photosynthetic fractionationclimate changephotosynthesis
spellingShingle Wei Ting Ma
Yong Zhi Yu
Xuming Wang
Xuming Wang
Xiao Ying Gong
Xiao Ying Gong
Xiao Ying Gong
Estimation of intrinsic water-use efficiency from δ13C signature of C3 leaves: Assumptions and uncertainty
Frontiers in Plant Science
water-use efficiency
carbon isotope discrimination
mesophyll conductance
post-photosynthetic fractionation
climate change
photosynthesis
title Estimation of intrinsic water-use efficiency from δ13C signature of C3 leaves: Assumptions and uncertainty
title_full Estimation of intrinsic water-use efficiency from δ13C signature of C3 leaves: Assumptions and uncertainty
title_fullStr Estimation of intrinsic water-use efficiency from δ13C signature of C3 leaves: Assumptions and uncertainty
title_full_unstemmed Estimation of intrinsic water-use efficiency from δ13C signature of C3 leaves: Assumptions and uncertainty
title_short Estimation of intrinsic water-use efficiency from δ13C signature of C3 leaves: Assumptions and uncertainty
title_sort estimation of intrinsic water use efficiency from δ13c signature of c3 leaves assumptions and uncertainty
topic water-use efficiency
carbon isotope discrimination
mesophyll conductance
post-photosynthetic fractionation
climate change
photosynthesis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2022.1037972/full
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