Photosynthesis of subantarctic plants as affected by leaf and canopy temperature variation

Project aim

Recent global warming is evident for many subantarctic islands. Rising temperatures will affect photosynthesis and respiration of plants, and ultimately their growth. This project will use a novel combination of methodologies. Thermal and fluorescence imaging will be used to explore the variation in temperatures experienced by plants and its effect on photosynthetic performance by plants growing naturally on Macquarie and Heard Islands. Infra-red ceramic lamps will be used to manipulate leaf temperatures under field conditions to explore how photosynthetic traits respond to simulated climatic change.