Aerosol–PAR Interactions: Critical Insights from a Systematic Review (2021–2025)

Atmospheric aerosols significantly influence photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), critical for plant photosynthesis and ecosystem functioning. This study systematically reviewed recent research (2021–2025) on aerosol–PAR interactions. Using targeted keywords, 22 open-access articles from Scopus and Google Scholar were analyzed via VOSviewer for thematic, methodological, and geographic trends. Analysis revealed a strong concentration in Earth and Environmental Sciences, showcasing significant advances in radiative transfer modeling, remote sensing, and machine learning for estimating aerosol impacts on PAR. Studies primarily utilized satellite data and models (e.g., DART, SCOPE) to assess diffuse/direct radiation changes. The literature consistently demonstrates how aerosols modulate PAR, influencing canopy light penetration and photosynthetic efficiency. However, critical gaps persist, including limited field validation in tropical biomes (e.g., Amazon, Cerrado, Pantanal) and a lack of studies differentiating aerosol types like black and brown carbon. This synthesis underscores the need for expanded monitoring and integrated modeling efforts to improve understanding of aerosol–PAR interactions, particularly in underrepresented tropical regions.