Photosynthesis in a changing world

Oxygenic photosynthesis sustains life on earth since its appearance about 3.5 Gyr ago (Nisbet and Sleep 2001). This ancient process has adapted in the past to an enormous range of life conditions and to massive environmental changes, yet remaining unchanged in its essential characteristics. Nowadays, the world is undergoing a series of fast environmental changes, often referred to as global change, predominantly caused by anthropogenic activities, that may positively or negatively affect photosynthesis, triggering the onset of a variety of adaptive responses. The effects of global changes on photosynthesis can be extremely complex, reflecting the natural plant biodiversity but also microclimate diversity. There are several reasons to specifically and urgently study the interaction between current global change and photosynthesis.