Harnessing the sun's energy via photosynthesis is at the core of
sustainable production of food, fuel, and materials by plants, algae,
and cyanobacteria. Photosynthesis depends on photoprotection against
intense sunlight, starting with the safe removal of excess excitation
energy from the light-harvesting system, which can be quickly and
non-destructively assessed via non-photochemical quenching of
chlorophyll fluorescence (NPQ). By placing NPQ into the context of
whole-organism function, this book aims to contribute towards
identification of plant and algal lines with superior stress resistance
and productivity. By addressing agreements and open questions concerning
photoprotection's molecular mechanisms, this book contributes towards
development of artificial photosynthetic systems. A comprehensive
picture -from single molecules to organisms in ecosystems, and from
leading expert's views to practical information for non-specialists on
NPQ measurement and terminology - is presented.