DYNAMIC BEHAVIOR OF A MODEL FOR PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND PHOTOINHIBITION

The dynamic behaviour of a simple model for photosynthesis and photoinhibiton, which was published before in this journal, is analysed. The differential equations are simplified and characteristic parameters and time scale are introduced. It is shown that the gradual development of photoinhibition is very important for the interpretation of observations on primary production. The model is used to explain differences between short and long incubations, the effect of intermittent illumination, the influence of prior illumination and hysteresis-effects. Two suggestions for extensions of the model are presented: one for extra consumption of oxygen, coupled to photoinhibition, the other for saturation of production at lower temperatures.