DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.20382726.v2
title: Photosynthesis data and photosynthetic CO2 responses from woody species from 52 tropical and subtropical sites worldwide

description: <strong>Description of the dataset:</strong> The file contains 13829 observations. At each site, the researchers used the Licor model 6400 portable photosynthesis system to record data on the leaf photosynthetic response to CO2 concentration changed step-wise, whilst controlling light and temperature. Eesearchers sampled common or abundant species within the constraints imposed by access to the upper part of the forest canopy, or sunlit leaves. Light levels were constant and at levels saturating photosynthesis. Data were only logged manually or automatically when measurements were judged to be stable. Data are from mature leaves of 407 woody plant species. Additional species datasets that were used in the study are freely available and downloadable at the following locations: https://daac.ornl.gov/LBA/guides/CD02_Leaf_Level_Gas_Exchange.html (Ref 81 in Supplementary Table 1 of Ellsworth et al.) https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/Leaf_photosynthetic_CO2_response_curve_data_from_paper_Phosphorus_recycling_in_photorespiration_maintains_high_photosynthetic_capacity/1210811 (Ref 25 in Supplementary Table 1 of Ellsworth et al.) https://ngee-tropics.ornl.gov/php/data/photosynthetic_parameters_nutrients_trees/Panama_post.xlsx (Ref 32 in Supplementary Table 1 of Ellsworth et al.) https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5638236 (Ref 86 in Supplementary Table 1 of Ellsworth et al.) <strong>Description of the data:</strong> Photosynthesis data based on raw Licor 6400 files collected for the study. These are the raw photosynthesis data at light saturation and experimental CO2 concentrations. Measurements were made on leaves from the upper canopy of woody plants. Measurements are gas exchange at light saturation, measured at a seasonal Tleaf and a range of CO2 concentrations for photosynthetic CO2 response curves. All measurements from the same 'Sitename', 'Continent', 'Number' and 'Species' were measured on the same specific leaf for the purposes of the photosynthetic CO2 response curve. Column labels that are identifiers are: Sitename, Continent, Number, Species and Family. 'Sitename' designates the Sitename used in Ellsworth et al. 2022 Supplemental Table 1, 'Continent' is the continent on which measurements were made, 'Number' designates the specific leaf that was measured, 'Species' is the accepted species name designated by the data collectors, and 'Family' is the plant family in which the species belongs. Measurements were made using the Li-6400 portable photosynthesis system, and units for all the measurements are as per the Li-Cor standard file described in the Li-Cor manual (“Using the 6400XT v.6.2”, see https://www.licor.com/env/support/MicroContent/Resources/MicroContent/manuals/li-6400-li-6400xt-instruction-manuals.html). Further labels are from standard Li-Cor file format, with units defined in the Li-Cor manual (“Using the 6400XT v.6.2”): Date, Obs, HHMMSSlocal, Photo, Cond, Ci, Trmmol, Tair, Tleaf, CO2R, CO2S, H2OS, Flow, PARi, Press. For each specific leaf or sample of adjacent leaves on the same plant, 'LMA' is the leaf lamina dry mass per unit area measured according to Cornelissen et al. (2003) and done without petiole attached, and 'Perc_N' is the % N of the sample, and 'Perc_P' % P of the sample. <br> References: Cornelissen, J.H.C. et al. 2003. A handbook of protocols for standardised and easy measurement of plant functional traits worldwide. Australian J. Botany 51: 335-380 <br> Ellsworth, D.S. et al. 2022. Convergence in phosphorus constraints to photosynthesis in forests around the world. Nature Communications, in press.