Seasonal Variations in Leaf Maximum Photosynthetic Capacity and Its Dependence on Climate Factors Across Global FLUXNET Sites

Abstract The maximum carboxylation rate (Vcmax) is an important parameter affecting the photosynthesis rate of plant leaves. In terrestrial ecosystem models (TEMs), Vcmax at 25°C (Vm25°) is often assigned as constants according to plant functional types (PFTs), while its variations with leaf temperature and nutrient contents are described using empirical functions. However, Vm25° could itself vary seasonally due to changes in the leaf …