Calculate photosynthesis and light penetration into a canopy (simple model)



To help students explore, limited input is required (yellow cells) and output is provided in graphical form, tabular values, and as daily integrated values.
​This Excel XLSX file is designed to help students explore how changes in canopy structure and photosynthetic rate will influence light penetration and photosynthesis in different canopy layers.

​Environmental parameters include
  • latitude
  • solar declination (time of year)
  • cloudiness

Leaf parameters include
  • LAI distribution
  • photosynthetic capacity (Amax)
  • respiration rate at Amax
  • leaf angle profile with depth​