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We tested whether cheap and quick chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence can be used in ecophysiological field studies as proxies for gas-exchange measurements. We measured net photosynthetic rate at saturating irradiance and ambient atmospheric CO2 concentrations (PNsat), maximum carboxylation rate (Vcmax), maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm), the performance index (PIabs), leaf nitrogen (Narea), and carbon isotope discrimination (Δ13C) within four herbaceous species along two elevational gradients. We analysed the relationship between Chl fluorescence and gas-exchange parameters and their link to indirect assessment of plant performance via ecophysiological traits. Fv/Fm showed no relationship to PNsat and only weak relationships to Vcmax. PIabs was positively related to PNsat and Vcmax. PIabs, PNsat, and Vcmax were positively associated with Narea and negatively to Δ13C, whereas Fv/Fm showed no relationship to Narea and a positive to Δ13C. Thus, PIabs might be suitable to characterize the photosynthetic activity when aiming on large numbers of samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]