CO₂ fertilization of terrestrial photosynthesis inferred from site to global scales

SignificanceThe magnitude of the CO₂ fertilization effect on terrestrial photosynthesis is uncertain because it is not directly observed and is subject to confounding effects of climatic variability. We apply three well-established eco-evolutionary optimality theories of gas exchange and photosynthesis, constraining the main processes of CO₂ fertilization using measurable variables. Using this framework, we provide robust observationally inferred evidence that a strong CO₂ fertilization effect is detectable in globally distributed eddy covariance networks. Applying our method to upscale photosynthesis globally, we find that the magnitude of the CO₂ fertilization effect is comparable to its in situ counterpart but highlight the potential for substantial underestimation of this effect in tropical forests for many reflectance-based satellite photosynthesis products.