PhD (2002)
Leaf and canopy photosynthesis models for cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) grown in a silvopastoral system (PDF 12.4 MB)
Research Overview
Pablo developed leaf and canopy photosynthesis models to explain cocksfoot growth in a silvopastoral system. The model predicts actual growth rates of a cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) pasture under Pinus radiata and involved an experiment which created a range of environmental (temperature, N, water) and management (regrowth duration) conditions in the field which were exposed to different light regimes. Net leaf photosynthesis, the key driver of canopy photosynthesis models, was related to the main environmental variables. Specifically, the effects of temperature, moisture, nitrogen, regrowth duration and shade (intensity and regime) on photosynthetic functions of individual leaves of cocksfoot in field conditions were quantified and biological explanations for each of the derived functions were described.
Pablo is currently a Forest engineer with the Faculty of Agronomy and Forestry Sciences of the National University of La Plata, Argentina. He focuses on sustainable management of silvopastoral systems, ecology and forestry in native forests and the design of windbreaks related to agriculture. Pablo also investigates aspects related to the ecosystem services of natural resources, ecophysiology, biodiversity and carbon fixation in different Patagonian ecosystems.