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Doctor Kristine Crous

Kristine CrousDr Kristine Crous is a Senior Lecturer within the Institute, coming to Western Sydney University from the Australian National University.

Her research has focussed on physiological mechanisms plants use to respond to global climate change factors, principally elevated CO2 and climate warming, but also the effect of nutrient availability (both nitrogen and phosphorus) on the CO2 response.

In her previous postdoc at WSU, she investigated how nutrient availability affects the responses of photosynthesis and leaf respiration to elevated CO2 at EucFACE. In a unique project linking phosphorus (P) limitations to photosynthesis and growth, she combined extensive field work at EucFACE measuring gas exchange with low O2, a technique often used in labs but rarely in the field. These measurements were combined with challenging labwork critical to elucidate the observed field mechanisms during which she extracted leaf P and other P-containing components from the leaf. This work resulted in new insights in the role of photorespiration, regarded as a wasteful process, in leaf P-recycling.

She also has been pursuing the temperature responses of photosynthesis and respiration on large trees at the Hawkesbury Forest Experiment. Because of unprecedented rates of warming expected in this century, she has investigated the capacity of Eucalyptus species to adjust to warmer conditions, mostly on large trees. She demonstrated that warming reduced leaf respiration at a given temperature in summer, with drought further exacerbating this reduction (Crous et al. 2011). In a warming study on Eucalyptus globulus (Crous et al. 2013) she reported a physiological temperature limit in summer because air temperatures far exceeded the temperature optimum of the species. Building on this work, she and her collaborators found less capacity to cope with warming within two widely-distributed Eucalyptus species ranging from tropical to temperate climates (Drake et al. 2015). Her data have been incorporated in several large-scale models to understand future ecosystem functioning.

Recently, she won a 2016 ARC Discovery Early Career Award (DECRA) to investigate how rainforest species will cope with climate warming. The response of rainforest species to climate warming is one of the largest uncertainties in the future terrestrial carbon cycle. This work aims to give us a predictive capacity for the temperature sensitivity of unique rainforest species. A narrow temperature optimum of photosynthesis is expected in rainforests as these species are thought to be more specialised due to a thermally stable environment. This may mean reduced rates with warming if they have limited capacity to adjust. The multi-faceted nature of her DECRA proposal, combining observational and experimental approaches, will maximise our understanding of how, and how much, rainforest tree species will adjust to warmer temperatures while also relating these responses to climate variability.

Areas of research

Leaf-level ecophysiology and biochemistry; photosynthesis and respiration; elevated CO2; ozone; nutrient cycling; climate change; sapflow
My research uses a combination of field work and controlled environment facilities in order to examine how plant metabolism responds to future climate change. I have a wide network of colleagues to collaborate with worldwide and from a range of disciplines including ecology, modelling and biochemistry.

Supervision Opportunities

As I am currently building my own labgroup and I am looking to talk to potential PhD students. If you are interested in working on climate change science or ecophysiology, or you have your own exciting ideas, then come and have a chat.

Teaching expertise

  • 2007 Field Laboratory Instructor at the Hawkesbury Forest Experiment
  • 2006 Undergraduate Student Instructor in Introductory Biology (BIO 162) leading discussion sessions and labs. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
  • 2003 – 2005 Mentoring and training of students in the Plant Physiology lab (basic skills such as sample preparation, organizing data and measuring with the Li-Cor 6400. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA)
  • 2002 Graduate Student Instructor in Plant Physiological Ecology (ENVIRON 457). University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
  • 2001 Certification and training for high school teaching in Biology and other sciences. University of Antwerp, Belgium

Awards and Recognition

  • Awarded the 2020 Jan Anderson award of the Australian Society of Plant Scientists
  • Dr Kristine Crous received sponsorship to attend the Science at the Shine Dome event in Canberra, 2019
  • Received a JG Russell award from the Australian Academy of Science, 2016
  • Travel award from Australian National University: travel to Oxford NP symposium, 2010
  • Rackham Dissertation Award (University of Michigan): competitive funding to finish PhD dissertation, 2008
  • Samuel Graham Award for excellent scientific writing (University of Michigan), 2005
  • Philips Fellowship of the Belgian American Educational Foundation (BAEF), 2002-2003
  • Wheeler Family Memorial Scholarship, SNRE, 2001-2002

Grants / Current Projects

    Quantifying the recovery trajectory and aboveground productivity in rainforest species after fire on rich versus poor soils
    Co-Researchers: Brendan Choat, Rachael Nolan, David Ellsworth and Robert Kooyman (MQ)
    Partner/Funding Body: Herman Slade
    Period: 2022

    Pushing the envelope: does range size limit eucalypt response to warming?
    Co-Researchers: Mark Tjoelker and Peter Reich
    Partner/Funding body: Australian Research Council Discovery
    Period: 2020-2022

    How will Australian rainforest trees cope with climate warming?
    Co-Researchers: Catriona Macdonald and Elise Pendall
    Partner/Funding Body: Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award
    Period: 2015-2017

Selected publications

Crous KY, Cheesman AW, Middleby K, Rogers EIE, Wujeska-Klause A, Bouet AYM, Ellsworth DS, Liddell MJ, Cernusak LA, Barton CVM, (2023) 'Similar patterns of leaf temperatures and thermal acclimation to warming in temperate and tropical tree canopies', Tree Physiology, vol.43, no.8, pp 1383 - 1399

Doughty CE, Keany JM, Wiebe BC, Rey-Sanchez C, Carter KR, Middleby KB, Cheesman AW, Goulden ML, da Rocha HR, Miller SD, Malhi Y, Fauset S, Gloor E, Slot M, Oliveras Menor I, Crous KY, Goldsmith GR, Fisher JB, (2023) 'Tropical forests are approaching critical temperature thresholds', Nature, vol.621, no.7977, pp 105 - 111

Gardner A, Jiang MK, Ellsworth DS, MacKenzie AR, Pritchard J, Bader MKF, Barton CVM, Bernacchi C, Calfapietra C, Crous KY, Dusenge ME, Gimeno TE, Hall M, Lamba S, Leuzinger S, Uddling J, Warren J, Wallin G, Medlyn BE, (2023) 'Optimal stomatal theory predicts CO2 responses of stomatal conductance in both gymnosperm and angiosperm trees', New Phytologist, vol.237, no.4, pp 1229-1241

Choury Z, Wujeska-Klause A, Bourne A, Bown NP, Tjoelker MG, Medlyn BE, Crous KY, (2022) 'Tropical rainforest species have larger increases in temperature optima with warming than warm-temperate rainforest trees', New Phytologist, vol.234, no.4, pp 1220-1236

Crous KY, Uddling J, De Kauwe MG, (2022) 'Temperature responses of photosynthesis and respiration in evergreen trees from boreal to tropical latitudes', New Phytologist, vol.234, no.2, pp 353 - 374

Ellsworth DS, Crous KY, De Kauwe MG, Verryckt LT, Goll D, Zaehle S, Bloomfield KJ, Ciais P, Cernusak LA, Domingues TF, Dusenge ME, Garcia S, Guerrieri R, Ishida FY, Janssens IA, Kenzo T, Ichie T, Medlyn BE, Meir P, Norby RJ, Reich PB, Rowland L, Santiago LS, Sun Y, Uddling J, Walker AP, Weerasinghe KWLK, van de Weg MJ, Zhang Y-B, Zhang J-L, Wright IJ, (2022) 'Convergence in phosphorus constraints to photosynthesis in forests around the world', Nature Communications, vol.13, no.1, Article no.5005

Gardner A, Ellsworth DS, Crous KY, Pritchard J, MacKenzie AR, (2022) 'Is photosynthetic enhancement sustained through three years of elevated CO2 exposure in 175-year-old Quercus robur?', Tree Physiology, vol.42, no.1, pp 130-144

Sabot MEB, De Kauwe MG, Pitman AJ, Ellsworth DS, Medlyn BE, Caldararu S, Zaehle S, Crous KY, Gimeno TE, Wujeska-Klause A, Mu M, Yang J, (2022) 'Predicting resilience through the lens of competing adjustments to vegetation function', Plant Cell and Environment, vol.45, no.9, pp 2744-2761

Crous KY, Campany C, Lopez R, Cano F, Ellsworth DS, (2021) 'Canopy position affects photosynthesis and anatomy in mature Eucalyptus trees in elevated CO2', Tree Physiology, vol.41, no.2, pp 206-222

Falster DS*, Gallagher RV*, Wenk E, Wright IJ, Indiarto D, Andrew SC, Baxter C, Lawson J, Allen S, Fuchs A, Monro A, Kar F, Adams MA, Ahrens CW, Alfonzetti M, Angevin T, Apgaua DMG, Arndt A, Atkin OK, Atkinson J, Auld TD, Baker A, von Balthazar M, Bean A, Blackman CJ, Bloomfield K, Bowman DMJS, Bragg J, Brodribb TJ, Buckton G, Burrows G, Caldwell E, Camac J, Carpenter R, Catford JA, Cawthray GR, Cernusak LA, Chandler G, Chapman AR, Cheal D, Cheesman AW, Chen S-C, Choat B, Clinton B, Clode PL, Coleman H, Cornwell WK, Cosgrove M, Crisp M, Cross E, Crous KY, Cunningham S, Curran T, Curtis E, Daws MI, DeGabriel JL, Denton MD, Dong N, Du P, Duan H, Duncan DH, Duncan RP, Duretto M, Dwyer JM, Edwards C, Esperon-Rodriguez M, Evans JR, Everingham SE, Farrell C, Firn J, Fonseca CR, French BJ, Frood D, Funk JL, Geange SR, Ghannoum O, Gleason SM, Gosper CR, Gray E, Groom PK, Grootemaat S, Gross C, Guerin G, Guja L, Hahs AK, Harrison MT, Hayes PE, Henery M, Hochuli D, Howell J, Huang G, Hughes L, Huisman J, Ilic J, Jagdish A, Jin D, Jordan G, Jurado E, Kanowski J, Kasel S, Kellermann J, Kenny B, Kohout M, Kooyman RM, Kotowska MM, Lai HR, Laliberté E, Lambers H, Lamont BB, Lanfear R, van Langevelde F, Laughlin DC, Laugier-Kitchener B-A, Laurance S, Lehmann CER, Leigh A, Leishman MR, Lenz T, Lepschi B, Lewis JD, Lim F, Liu U, Lord J, Lusk CH, Macinnis-Ng C, McPherson H, Magallón S, Manea A, López-Martinez A, Mayfield M, McCarthy JK, Meers T, van der Merwe M, Metcalfe DJ, Milberg P, Mokany K, Moles AT, Moore BD, Moore N, Morgan JW, Morris W, Muir A, Munroe S, Nicholson A, Nicolle D, Nicotra AB, Niinemets Ü, North T, O’Reilly-Nugent A, O’Sullivan OS, Oberle B, Onoda Y, Ooi MKJ, Osborne CP, Paczkowska G, Pekin B, Guilherme Pereira C, Pickering C, Pickup M, Pollock LJ, Poot P, Powell JR, Power SA, Prentice IC, Prior L, Prober SM, Read J, Reynolds V, Richards AE, Richardson B, Roderick ML, Rosell JA, Rossetto M, Rye B, Rymer PD, Sams MA, Sanson G, Sauquet H, Schmidt S, Schönenberger J, Schulze E-D, Sendall K, Sinclair S, Smith B, Smith R, Soper F, Sparrow B, Standish RJ, Staples TL, Stephens R, Szota C, Taseski G, Tasker E, Thomas F, Tissue DT, Tjoelker MG, Tng DYP, de Tombeur F, Tomlinson K, Turner NC, Veneklaas EJ, Venn S, Vesk P, VlasveldC , Vorontsova MS, Warren CA, Warwick N, Weerasinghe LK, Wells J, Westoby M, White M, Williams NSG, Wills J, Wilson PG, Yates C, Zanne AE, Zemunik G, Ziemińska K, (2021) 'AusTraits, a curated plant trait database for the Australian flora', Scientific Data, vol.8, no.1, Article no.254

Noh NJ, Crous KY, Salomon RL, Li JQ, Ellsworth DS, Barton CVM, Pendall E, Tjoelker MG, (2021) 'Elevated CO2 alters the temperature sensitivity of stem CO2 efflux in a mature eucalypt woodland', Environmental and Experimental Botany, vol.188, Article no.104508

Crous KY, Ellsworth DS, (2020) 'Probing the inner sanctum of leaf phosphorus: measuring the fractions of leaf P', Plant and Soil, vol.454, no.s 1-2, pp 77-85

Jiang M, Medlyn BE, Drake JE, Duursma RA, Anderson IC, Barton CVM, Boer MM, Carrillo Y, Castaneda-Gomez L, Collins L, Crous KY, De Kauwe MG, dos Santos BM, Emmerson KM, Facey SL, Gherlenda AN, Gimeno TE, Hasegawa S, Johnson SN, Kannaste A, Macdonald CA, Mahmud K, Moore BD, Nazaries L, Neilson EHJ, Nielsen UN, Niinemets U, Noh NJ, Ochoa-Hueso R, Pathare VS, Pendall E, Pihlblad J, Pineiro J, Powell JR, Power SA, Reich PB, Renchon AA, Riegler M, Rinnan R, Rymer PD, Salomon RL, Singh BK, Smith B, Tjoelker MG, Walker JKM, Wujeska-Klause A, Yang JY, Zaehle S, Ellsworth DS, (2020) 'The fate of carbon in a mature forest under carbon dioxide enrichment', Nature, vol.580, no.7802, pp 227-231

Jiang MK, Caldararu S, Zhang HY, Fleischer K, Crous KY, Yang JY, De Kauwe MG, Ellsworth DS, Reich PB, Tissue DT, Zaehle S, Medlyn BE, (2020) 'Low phosphorus supply constrains plant responses to elevated CO2: A meta-analysis', Global Change Biology, vol.26, no.10, pp 5856-5873

Noh NJ, Crous KY, Li J, Choury Z, Barton CVM, Arndt SK, Reich PB, Tjoelker MG, Pendall E, (2020) 'Does root respiration in Australian rainforest tree seedlings acclimate to experimental warming?', Tree physiology, vol.40, no.9, pp 1192-1204

Yang J, Medlyn BE, De Kauwe MG, Duursma RA, Jiang M,  Kumarathunge D, Crous KY, Gimeno TE, Wujeska-Klause A, Ellsworth DS, (2020) 'Low sensitivity of gross primary production to elevated CO2 in a mature eucalypt woodland', Biogeosciences, vol.17, no.2, pp 265-279

Crous KY, (2019) 'Plant responses to climate warming: physiological adjustments and implications for plant functioning in a future, warmer world', American Journal of Botany, vol.106, no.8, pp 1049-1051

Crous KY, Wujeska-Klause A, Jiang MK, Medlyn BE, Ellsworth DS, (2019) 'Nitrogen and Phosphorus Retranslocation of Leaves and Stemwood in a Mature Eucalyptus Forest Exposed to 5 Years of Elevated CO2', Frontiers in Plant Science, vol.10, Article no.664

Kumarathunge DP, Medlyn BE, Drake JE, Tjoelker MG, Aspinwall MJ, Battaglia M, Cano FJ, Carter KR, Cavaleri MA, Cernusak LA, Chambers JQ, Crous KY, De Kauwe MG, Dillaway DN, Dreyer E, Ellsworth DS, Ghannoum O, Han QM, Hikosaka K, Jensen AM, Kelly JWG, Kruger EL, Mercado LM, Onoda Y, Reich PB, Rogers A, Slot M, Smith NG, Tarvainen L, Tissue DT, Togashi HF, Tribuzy ES, Uddling J, Varhammar A, Wallin G, Warren JM, Way DA, (2019) 'Acclimation and adaptation components of the temperature dependence of plant photosynthesis at the global scale', New Phytologist, vol.222, no.2, pp 768-784

Salomon RL, Steppe K, Crous KY, Noh NJ, Ellsworth DS, (2019) 'Elevated CO2 does not affect stem CO2 efflux nor stem respiration in a dry Eucalyptus woodland, but it shifts the vertical gradient in xylem [CO2]', Plant Cell and Environment, vol.42, no.7, pp 2151-2164

Smith NG, Keenan TF, Colin Prentice I, Wang H, Wright IJ, Niinemets U, Crous KY, Domingues TF, Guerrieri R, Ishida FY, Kattge J, Kruger EL, Maire V, Rogers A, Serbin SP, Tarvainen L, Togashi HF, Townsend PA, Wang M, Weerasinghe LK, Zhou SX, (2019) 'Global photosynthetic capacity is optimized to the environment', Ecology Letters, vol.22, no.3, pp 506-517

Way DA, Aspinwall MJ, Drake JE, Crous KY, Campany CE, Ghannoum O, Tissue DT, Tjoelker MG, (2019) 'Responses of respiration in the light to warming in field-grown trees: a comparison of the thermal sensitivity of the Kok and Laisk methods', New Phytologist, vol.222, no.1, pp 132-143

Wujeska-Klause A, Crous KY, Ghannoum O, Ellsworth DS, (2019) 'Leaf age and eCO2 both influence photosynthesis by increasing light harvesting in mature Eucalyptus tereticornis at EucFACE', Environmental and Experimental Botany, vol.167, Article no.103857

Wujeska-Klause A, Crous KY, Ghannoum O, Ellsworth DS, (2019) 'Lower photorespiration in elevated CO2 reduces leaf N concentrations in mature Eucalyptus trees in the field', Global Change Biology, vol.25, no.4, pp 1282-1295

Yang J, Duursma RA, De Kauwe MG, Kumarathunge D, Jiang M, Mahmud K, Gimeno TE, Crous KY, Ellsworth DS, Peters J, Choat B, Eamus D, Medlyn BE, (2019) 'Incorporating non-stomatal limitation improves the performance of leaf and canopy models at high vapour pressure deficit', Tree physiology, vol.39, no.12, pp 1961-1974

Crous KY, Drake JE, Aspinwall MJ, Sharwood RE, Tjoelker MG, Ghannoum O, (2018) 'Photosynthetic capacity and leaf nitrogen decline along a controlled climate gradient in provenances of two widely distributed Eucalyptus species', Global Change Biology, vol.24, no.10, pp 4626-4644

Drake JE, Tjoelker MG, Varhammar A, Medlyn BE, Reich PB, Leigh A, Pfautsch S, Blackman CJ, Lopez R, Aspinwall MJ, Crous KY, Duursma RA, Kumarathunge D, De Kauwe MG, Jiang M, Nicotra AB, Tissue DT, Choat B, Atkin OK, Barton CVM, (2018) 'Trees tolerate an extreme heatwave via sustained transpirational cooling and increased leaf thermal tolerance', Global Change Biology, vol.24, no.6, pp 2390-2402

Crous KY, O'Sullivan OS, Zaragoza-Castells J, Bloomfield KJ, Negrini ACA, Meir P, Turnbull MH, Griffin KL, Atkin OK, (2017) 'Nitrogen and phosphorus availabilities interact to modulate leaf trait scaling relationships across six plant functional types in a controlled-environment study', New Phytologist, vol.215, no.3, pp 992-1008

Crous KY, Wallin G, Atkin OK, Uddling J, Ekenstam AA, (2017) 'Acclimation of light and dark respiration to experimental and seasonal warming are mediated by changes in leaf nitrogen in Eucalyptus globulus', Tree Physiology, vol.37, no.8, pp 1069-1083

Ellsworth DS, Anderson IC, Crous KY, Cooke J, Drake JE, Gherlenda AN, Gimeno TE, Macdonald CA, Medlyn BE, Powell JR, Tjoelker MG, Reich PB, (2017) 'Elevated CO2 does not increase eucalypt forest productivity on a low-phosphorus soil', Nature Climate Change, vol.7, no.4, pp 279-282

Pathare VS, Crous KY, Cooke J, Creek D, Ghannoum O, Ellsworth DS, (2017) 'Water availability affects seasonal CO2-induced photosynthetic enhancement in herbaceous species in a periodically dry woodland', Global Change Biology, vol.23, no.12, pp 5164-5178

Sharwood RE, Crous KY, Whitney SM, Ellsworth DS, Ghannoum O, (2017) 'Linking photosynthesis and leaf N allocation under future elevated CO2 and climate warming in Eucalyptus globulus', Journal of Experimental Botany, vol.68, no.5, pp 1157-1167

Tcherkez G, Gauthier P, Buckley TN, Busch FA, Barbour MM, Bruhn D, Heskel MA, Gong XY, Crous K, Griffin KL, Way DA, Turnbull MH, Adams MA, Atkin OK, Bender M, Farquhar GD, Cornic G, (2017) 'Tracking the origins of the Kok effect, 70 years after its discovery The 18 th New Phytologist Workshop 'The Kok effect: beyond the artefact, emerging leaf mechanisms ( KOALA)' Angers, France, July 2016', New Phytologist, vol.214, no.2, pp 506-510

Tcherkez G, Gauthier P, Buckley TN, Busch FA, Barbour MM, Bruhn D, Heskel MA, Gong XY, Crous KY, Griffin K, Way D, Turnbull M, Adams MA, Atkin OK, Farquhar GD, Cornic G, (2017) 'Leaf day respiration: low CO2 flux but high significance for metabolism and carbon balance', New Phytologist, vol.216, no.4, pp 986-1001

De Kauwe MG, Lin YS, Wright IJ, Medlyn BE, Crous KY, Ellsworth DS, Maire V, Prentice IC, Atkin OK, Rogers A, Niinemets U, Serbin SP, Meir P, Uddling J, Togashi HF, Tarvainen L, Weerasinghe LK, Evans BJ, Ishida FY, Domingues TF, (2016) 'A test of the 'one-point method' for estimating maximum carboxylation capacity from field-measured, light-saturated photosynthesis', New Phytologist, vol.210, no.3, pp 1130-1144

Drake JE, Macdonald CA, Tjoelker MG, Crous KY, Gimeno TE, Singh BK, Reich PB, Anderson IC, Ellsworth DS, (2016) 'Short-term carbon cycling responses of a mature eucalypt woodland to gradual stepwise enrichment of atmospheric CO2 concentration', Global Change Biology, vol.22, no.1, pp 380-390

Duursma RA, Gimeno TE, Boer MM, Crous KY, Tjoelker MG, Ellsworth DS, (2016) 'Canopy leaf area of a mature evergreen Eucalyptus woodland does not respond to elevated atmospheric [CO2] but tracks water availability', Global Change Biology, vol.22, no.4, pp 1666-1676

Gherlenda AN, Crous KY, Moore BD, Haigh AM, Johnson SN, Riegler M, (2016) 'Precipitation, not CO2 enrichment, drives insect herbivore frass deposition and subsequent nutrient dynamics in a mature Eucalyptus woodland', Plant and Soil, vol.399, no.s 1-2, pp 29-39

Gimeno TE, Crous KY, Cooke J, O'Grady AP, Osvaldsson A, Medlyn BE, Ellsworth DS, (2016) 'Conserved stomatal behaviour under elevated CO2 and varying water availability in a mature woodland', Functional Ecology, vol.30, no.5, pp 700-709

Medlyn BE, De Kauwe MG, Zaehle S, Walker AP, Duursma RA, Luus K, Mishurov M, Pak B, Smith B, Wang Y-P, Yang X, Crous KY, Drake JE, Gimeno TE, Macdonald CA, Norby RJ, Power SA, Tjoelker MG, Ellsworth DS, (2016) 'Using models to guide field experiments: a priori predictions for the CO2 response of a nutrient- and water-limited native Eucalypt woodland', Global Change Biology, vol.22, no.8, pp 2834-2851

Ali AA, Medlyn BE, Aubier TG, Crous KY, Reich PB, (2015) 'Elevated carbon dioxide is predicted to promote coexistence among competing species in a trait-based model', Ecology and Evolution, vol.5, no.20, pp 4717-4733

Atkin OK, Bloomfield KJ, Reich PB, Tjoelker MG, Asner GP, Bonal D, Bönisch G, Bradford MG, Cernusak LA, Cosio EG, Creek D, Crous KY, Domingues TF, Dukes JS, Egerton JJG, Evans JR, Farquhar GD, Fyllas NM, Gauthier PPG, Gloor E, Gimeno TE, Griffin KL, Guerrieri R, Heskel MA, Huntingford C, Ishida FY, Kattge J, Lambers H, Liddell MJ, Lloyd J, Lusk CH, Martin RE, Maksimov AP, Maximov TC, Malhi Y, Medlyn BE, Meir P, Mercado LM, Mirotchnick N, Ng D, Niinemets U, O'Sullivan OS, Phillips OL, Poorter L, Poot P, Prentice IC, Salinas N, Rowland LM, Ryan MG, Sitch S, Slot M, Smith NG, Turnbull MH, Vanderwel MC, Valladares F, Veneklaas EJ, Weerasinghe LK, Wirth C, Wright IJ, Wythers KR, Xiang J, Xiang S, Zaragoza-Castells J, (2015) 'Global variability in leaf respiration in relation to climate, plant functional types and leaf traits', New Phytologist, vol.206, no.2, pp 614-636

Crous KY, Ósvaldsson A, Ellsworth DS, (2015) 'Is phosphorus limiting in a mature Eucalyptus woodland? Phosphorus fertilisation stimulates stem growth', Plant and Soil, vol.391, no.s 1-2, pp 293-305

Drake JE, Aspinwall MJ, Pfautsch S, Rymer PD, Reich PB, Smith RA, Crous KY, Tissue DT, Ghannoum O, Tjoelker MG, (2015) 'The capacity to cope with climate warming declines from temperate to tropical latitudes in two widely distributed Eucalyptus species', Global Change Biology, vol.21, no.1, pp 459-472

Ellsworth DS, Crous KY, Lambers H, Cooke J, (2015) 'Phosphorus recycling in photorespiration maintains high photosynthetic capacity in woody species', Plant, Cell and Environment, vol.38, no.6, pp 1142-1156

Quentin AG, Crous KY, Barton CVM, Ellsworth DS, (2015) 'Photosynthetic enhancement by elevated CO2 depends on seasonal temperatures for warmed and non-warmed Eucalyptus globulus trees', Tree Physiology, vol.35, no.11, pp 1249-1263

Gauthier PPG, Crous KY, Ayub G, Duan H, Weerasinghe LK, Ellsworth DS, Tjoelker MG, Evans JR, Tissue DT, Atkin OK, (2014) 'Drought increases heat tolerance of leaf respiration in Eucalyptus globulus saplings grown under both ambient and elevated atmospheric [CO2] and temperature', Journal of Experimental Botany, vol.65, no.22, pp 6471-6485

Weerasinghe LK, Creek D, Crous KY, Xiang S, Liddell MJ, Turnbull MH, Atkin OK, (2014) 'Canopy position affects the relationships between leaf respiration and associated traits in a tropical rainforest in Far North Queensland', Tree Physiology, vol.34, no.6, pp 564-584

Ali AA, Medlyn BE, Crous KY, Reich PB, (2013) 'A trait-based ecosystem model suggests that long-term responsiveness to rising atmospheric CO2 concentration is greater in slow-growing than fast-growing plants', Functional Ecology, vol.27, no.4, pp 1011-1022

Crous KY, Quentin AG, Lin Y-S, Medlyn BE, Williams DG, Barton CVM, Ellsworth DS, (2013) 'Photosynthesis of temperate Eucalyptus globulus trees outside their native range has limited adjustment to elevated CO2 and climate warming', Global Change Biology, vol.19, no.12, pp 3790-3807

De Kauwe MG, Medlyn BE, Zaehle S, Walker AP, Dietze MC, Hickler T, Jain AK, Luo Y, Parton WJ, Prentice IC, Smith B, Thornton PE, Wang S, Wang Y-P, Wårlind D, Weng E, Crous KY, Ellsworth DS, Hanson PJ, Seok Kim H, Warren JM, Oren R, Norby RJ, (2013) 'Forest water use and water use efficiency at elevated CO2: A model-data intercomparison at two contrasting temperate forest FACE sites', Global Change Biology, vol.19, no.6, pp 1759-1779

Barton CVM, Duursma RA, Medlyn BE, Ellsworth DS, Eamus D, Tissue DT, Adams M, Conroy JP, Crous KY, Liberloo M, Löw M, Linder S, McMurtrie R, (2012) 'Effects of elevated [CO2] on instantaneous transpiration efficiency at leaf and canopy scales in Eucalyptus saligna', Global Change Biology, vol.18, pp 585-595

Crous KY, Zaragoza-Castells J, Ellsworth DS, Duursma RA, Löw M, Tissue DT, Atkin OK, (2012) 'Light inhibition of leaf respiration in field-grown Eucalyptus saligna in whole-tree chambers under elevated atmospheric CO2 and summer drought', Plant, Cell and Environment, vol.35, pp 966-976

Ellsworth DS, Thomas R, Crous KY, Palmroth S, Ward E, Maier C, DeLucia EH, Oren R, (2012) 'Elevated CO2 affects photosynthetic responses in canopy pine and subcanopy deciduous trees over 10 years: a synthesis from Duke FACE', Global Change Biology, vol.18, pp 223-242

Medlyn BE, Duursma RA, Eamus D, Ellsworth DS, Colin Prentice I, Barton CVM, Crous KY, de Angelis P, Freeman M, Wingate L, (2012) 'Corrigendum: Reconciling the optimal and empirical approaches to modelling stomatal conductance', Global Change Biology, vol.18, no.11, p 3476

Crous KY, Zaragoza-Castells J, Löw M, Ellsworth DS, Tissue DT, Tjoelker MG, Barton CVM, Gimeno TE, Atkin OK, (2011) 'Drought accentuates acclimation of leaf respiration to summer heat: a comparison of Eucalyptus saligna trees growing under ambient and elevated atmospheric CO2', Global Change Biology, vol.17, pp 1560-1576

Medlyn BE, Duursma RA, Eamus D, Ellsworth DS, Barton CVM, Prentice C, Crous KY et al, (2011) 'Reconciling the optimal and empirical approaches to modelling stomatal conductance', Global Change Biology, vol.17, pp 2134-2144

Crous KY, Hunter MD, Reich PB, Ellsworth DS, (2010) 'Leaf N controls the photosynthetic CO2 response of grassland species exposed to nine years of free-air CO2 enrichment', Global Change Biology, vol.16, pp 2076-2088

Franklin O, McMurtrie RE, Iversen CM, Crous KY, Finzi A, et al, (2009) 'Forest fine-root production and nitrogen use under elevated CO2: Contrasting responses in evergreen and deciduous trees explained by a common principle', Global Change Biology, vol.15, pp 132-144

Crous KY, Walters MB, Ellsworth DS, (2008) 'Changes in leaf photosynthesis-N relationships over time in Pinus taeda exposed to long-term elevated CO2 and N fertilization in FACE', Tree Physiology, vol.28, pp 607-614

Crous KY, Vandermeiren K, Ceulemans R, (2006) 'Physiological responses to cumulative ozone uptake in two white clover (Trifolium repens L. cv. Regal) clones with different ozone sensitivity', Environmental and Experimental Botany, vol.58, pp 169-179

Crous KY, Ellsworth DS, (2004) 'Canopy position affects photosynthetic adjustments to long-term CO2 enrichment (FACE) in a mature Pinus taeda L. forest', Tree Physiology, vol.24, pp 961-970

Selected Conference Presentations

  • 2015 Crous KY. Turning up the heat: how do plants respond to climate warming? Invited presentation at the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFOR), University of Birmingham, 8 Sept.
  • 2014 Sharwood RE, Crous KY, Drake JE, Aspinwall MA, Whitney SM, Tjoelker MG and Ghannoum, O. Testing the limits of photosynthetic plasticity in Eucalyptus species from different biogeographical habitats. Combio, Canberra, 28 Sept – 2 Oct.
  • 2014 Crous KY, Ósvaldsson A and Ellsworth DS. Is phosphorus limiting in a mature Eucalyptus woodland? Phosphorus fertilisation stimulates stem growth. Combio, Canberra, 28 Sept – 2 Oct
  • 2013 Gimeno TE, Crous KY, Cooke J, O'Grady AP, Ellsworth DS. Elevated CO2 in an Australian woodland (EucFACE): impact of contrasting water availability on carbon uptake and water use in a nutrient-limited ecosystem - EcoTAS13 meeting in Auckland, New Zealand - 24 to 29 November
  • 2013 Crous KY, Osvaldsson A, Ellsworth D - Elevated CO2 in an Australian woodland (EucFACE): Are phosphorus limitations to trees "truth or myth"? - EcoTAS13 meeting in Auckland, New Zealand - 24 to 29 November
  • 2012 Ellsworth DS, Crous KY, Gimeno T, Ghannoum O, Boer M - Eucalyptus Free-air CO2 enrichment ('EucFACE') and how atmospheric CO2 may affect Cumberland Plain biodiversity - Presented at ESA Annual Conference, 3-7 December, Albert Park, Melbourne
  • 2009 Crous KY. Drought accentuates acclimation of leaf respiration to summer heat: a comparison of Eucalyptus saligna trees growing under ambient and elevated atmospheric CO2. COMBIO conference 2009, Christchurch, New Zealand, December 6-10th and at 24th New Phytologist Symposium, Oxford, UK in April 2010.
  • 2007 Crous KY, Walters MB, Ellsworth DS. Changes in leaf photosynthesis-N relationships over time in Pinus taeda exposed to long-term elevated CO2 and N fertilization in FACE. COMBIO conference 2007, 22-26 September and ECOFIZZ 2007 (27-28 September) in Sydney.
  • 2006 Crous KY. How is the relationship between photosynthesis and nitrogen affected by long-term elevated CO2? Invited presentation at the Modelling Workshop, Australia
  • 2006 Crous KY .Nitrogen addition affects the photosynthetic capacity of loblolly pine to elevated CO2 in FACE. IUFRO Canopy Processes Workshop: "Regional forest responses to environmental change", Boston, USA
  • 2003 Crous KY.Is forest tree functioning enhanced by elevated CO2? Invited presentation at the Terrestrial Ecosystems Forum, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA