Methods to quantify and simulate the photosynthetic dynamics of leaves, ecosystems or whole regions are needed to develop strategies for climate change adaptation and mitigation. Photosynthesis models have been traditionally based on measurements of carbon dioxide fluxes of leaves or ecosystems, which are difficult to scale. Fortunately, photosynthesis has a brighter side, the light reactions. The light reactions are a source of optical information (such as chlorophyll fluorescence or spectral reflectance), with potential to open our eyes to the spatial observation of photosynthesis. However, we still lack quantitative understanding on the connection between optical data and photosynthetic carbon uptake. In REDEYE I implement an innovative setup for the long-term, in situ, and simultaneous measurements of optical and gas exchange data from leaves, developing protocols and models to set the ground towards the multiscale observation of photosynthesis and plant ecophysiological processes.

2022

2026