In this section
@article{Zhu:2026,
author = {Zhu, Z and Wang, H and Zhou, B and Cai, W and Harrison, SP and De, Kauwe MG and Prentice, IC},
journal = {Nature Communications},
title = {Optimal canopy light-use strategy shapes global greenness dynamics},
year = {2026}
}
TY - JOUR
AB - “Greenness” is a key indicator of the functional state of vegetation. However, the physiological processes behind seasonal patterns in greenness are diverse and incompletely understood, hindering the predictability of climate-driven shifts in global foliage phenology. Optimality principles suggest that plants invest in canopy architecture to maximize light capture. Therefore, we hypothesize that, irrespective of specific physiological mechanisms, greenness (fAPAR: fractional canopy light absorption) commonly tracks the seasonal dynamics of potential production (A0: theoretical canopy carbon uptake with all light absorbed). In other words, plants tend to display foliage when it is most productive. We show that observations confirm this hypothesis and develop a model predicting fAPAR from the seasonal cycle of A0, with a phenological lag that increases (from 2 weeks to 3 months) with increasing moisture. This model captures 81% of observed variations in fAPAR and shows that light and environmentally regulated biophysical constraints shape global patterns of vegetation greenness, its seasonal cycle, and its recent increase.
AU - Zhu,Z
AU - Wang,H
AU - Zhou,B
AU - Cai,W
AU - Harrison,SP
AU - De,Kauwe MG
AU - Prentice,IC
PY - 2026///
SN - 2041-1723
TI - Optimal canopy light-use strategy shapes global greenness dynamics
T2 - Nature Communications
ER -
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