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Welcome to the C4 World

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 July 2017

Thure E. Cerling  and
James R. Ehleringer
Thure E. Cerling
Affiliation:
Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112 Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112 USA
James R. Ehleringer
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112 USA
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There are two principal mechanisms of photosynthesis amongst the plants of the world. One produces a 3-carbon compound as the primary photosynthate and is called C3 photosynthesis. The other produces a 4-carbon compound as its primary photosynthate and is called C4 photosynthesis. This latter method is of rather recent origin, and its inception had important consequences for the flora and fauna of the world. The C4 plants make up a significant portion of global net primary productivity, especially in low latitudes. C4 plants are predominantly warm-season grasses, while C3 plants include most dicotyledons and cool-season monocotyledons. In this review we answer the questions about how C4 photosynthesis differs from C3 photosynthesis, where C4 plants are found, and review the paleoecological history of C4 photosynthesis.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Paleontological Society Papers , Volume 6: Phanerozoic Terrestrial Ecosystems , November 2000 , pp. 273 - 286
Copyright
Copyright © 2000 by the Paleontological Society 

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