Diurnal light curves and landscape-scale variation in photosynthetic characteristics of Thalassia testudinum in Florida Bay

When using pulse-amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry to measure landscape-scale photosynthetic characteristics, diurnal variations in fluorescence during sampling may confound the assessment of the physiological condition. In this study, two photophysiological assessment techniques: Diurnal Yield and Diurnal Rapid Light Curve (RLC) were investigated in an attempt to incorporate the temporal and spatial scales of sampling into a physiological assessment of Thalassia testudinum in Florida Bay. Photosynthesis–irradiance (P–E) curves were calculated using both methods and the ability of each to predict the relationship between relative electron transport rates and irradiance was assessed. Both methods had limitations in providing consistent estimates of photosynthetic efficiency or capacity. The Diurnal Yield method produced unrealistically high predictions of photosynthetic capacity (relative electron transport rate (rETRmax), 417–1715) and saturation irradiance (Ik, 1045–4681 μmol photons m−2 s−1). In contrast, the Diurnal RLC method generally produced predictions of rETRmax (100–200) and Ik (300–500 μmol photons m−2 s−1) which were similar to average values calculated from each day's RLCs. The Diurnal RLC method was unable to predict photosynthetic efficiency (α) only when ambient irradiances were continuously >Ik during the sampling period. We believe that with sampling modifications in high-light or shallow environments, such as starting sampling earlier in the morning, extending sampling later in the day, or using the average α from each day's RLCs, that the Diurnal RLC method can produce representative estimates of rETRmax, α, and Ik, providing a method to characterize seagrass photosynthesis at the landscape-level. The Diurnal RLC method does not negate Diurnal variation but it produces a curve that incorporates the changing ambient light environment into the assessment of seagrass physiological status.