Plant physiology

We develop process-based models of plant function to understand their water, carbon, and energy balance. We are especially interested in the intersection between water and carbon, and how these two cycles are affected by climate change. We are currently focusing on the solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) response of grasslands to variations in soil moisture.

We have started monitoring SIF at the Point Reyes soil warming experiment (see photos below) using a new SIF Imager by Headwall. The instrument allows us to measure SIF instantaneously within a whole ecosystem, or in multiple treatment plots at once. We are very excited to continue working with this cutting-edge instrument over the next few years!

Relevant publications

1. C. Gerlein-Safdi, M.C. Koohafkan, M. Chung, F.E. Rockwell, S. Thompson, and K.K. Caylor, 2018. Dew deposition suppresses transpiration and carbon uptake in leaves, Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 259, 305–316, doi: 10.1016/j.agrformet.2018.05.015

2. C. Gerlein-Safdi, P.P.G. Gauthier, and K.K. Caylor, 2018. Dew-induced transpiration suppression impacts the water and isotope balances of Colocasia leaves, Oecologia, 187:4, 1041-1051, doi: 10.1007/s00442-018-4199-y

3. C. Gerlein-Safdi, P.P.G. Gauthier, C.J. Sinkler, and K.K. Caylor, 2017. Leaf water 18O and 2H maps show directional enrichment discrepancy in Colocasia esculenta, Plant, Cell and Environment, 40, 2095–2108, doi: 10.1111/pce.13002