Global Photosynthesis Acclimates to Rising Temperatures Through Predictable Changes in Photosynthetic Capacities, Enzyme Kinetics, and Stomatal Sensitivity

Thermal acclimation of photosynthesis, the physiological adjustment to temperature over weeks, may help plants mitigate adverse impacts of global warming, but is often under-represented in Earth System Models (ESMs). We evaluated a plant functional type (PFT)-agnostic, optimality-based model of C$_3$ photosynthesis with a global data set of leaf gas exchange measurements. We investigated how three key photosynthesis traits vary along a gradient of growing-season temperatures (T$_{growth}$): optimal photosynthesis temperature (T$_{opt}$), net photosynthesis rate at T$_{opt}$ (A$_{opt}$), and the width of the temperature response curve (T$_{span}$). We analyzed how each trait is influenced by three acclimation processes: acclimation of photosynthetic capacities (carboxylation, electron transport, and respiration), their enzymatic responses, and stomatal sensitivity to vapor pressure deficit. The inclusion of all three acclimation processes was essential for reproducing observed patterns: a linear increase in T$_{opt}$ with T$_{growth}$, and no correlations of A$_{opt}$ and T$_{span}$ with T$_{growth}$. Acclimation of enzymatic responses and stomatal sensitivity was crucial for accurately predicting T$_{opt}$ and T$_{span}$. Acclimation of the photosynthetic capacities was necessary to avoid a bias in A$_{opt}$ that can arise when relying on static, PFT-specific parameters. Comparing a model with all and a model without any acclimation processes showed that thermal acclimation buffers the response of photosynthesis to warming substantially, leading to smaller increases in photosynthesis in cold climates (+2% instead of +18%) and smaller declines in warm climates (−4% instead of −22%). Our observations-constrained photosynthesis predictions suggest an important role of thermal acclimation in ESM, partly mitigating adverse effects of a warming climate.