The direct response of photosynthesis to climate change

In this simulation study we based two very different forest stand simulation models, TRAGIC and TREEDYN3, on the same biochemical description of photosynthesis at the leaf scale, thus eliminating one source of uncertainty in model structure. We examined long-term predictions of net primary productivity and cumulative standing biomass as well as heigth growth curves under the hypothetical influence of climate change for a Pinus pinaster Ait. stand at Bray. Both models predicted comparable NPP and cumulative standing biomass dynamics and also changes with respect to given climate change scenarios were similar. Predictions of climate change effects converge despite very different model philosophy. Differences in height growth reflect different resolution of the models with respect to uptake and competition.