A new scientific publication developed through the work of CONCERTO partners from CREAF has been published in Nature Communications journal, providing important new insights into how terrestrial plants respond to water stress under changing climate conditions.

The study, titled “Global distribution and changes of leaf-level intrinsic water use efficiency and their responses to water stress”, explores the global patterns and long-term changes in intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE) — a key indicator of how efficiently plants use water during photosynthesis. Understanding these dynamics is essential for improving climate predictions and assessing ecosystem resilience in a warming world.

Using machine-learning models combined with carbon isotope observations in C3 plant foliage, the researchers analysed global patterns of leaf-level iWUE between 2001 and 2020. The findings reveal that plants in colder and drier regions tend to use water more efficiently, while lower efficiency is observed in warm and humid environments.

The study also shows that global iWUE has steadily increased over the past two decades, although significant differences exist between ecosystems. Grasslands displayed the highest average iWUE values but experienced the slowest rate of increase, while evergreen broadleaf forests showed lower average efficiency yet the fastest growth over time.

Importantly, the research demonstrates that plant water-use efficiency increases under greater water stress, although this response weakens as stress intensifies. The analysis further identifies vapor pressure deficit, a measure linked to atmospheric dryness, as a more influential driver of iWUE changes than soil moisture.

The CONCERTO project is launching a new video interview series, “CONCERTO – Through the Eyes of the Experts”, offering audiences a closer look at the people, ideas, and scientific goals driving the project forward. 

The campaign begins with an introductory video that presents the experts behind the project and explores what makes CONCERTO exciting and meaningful for them. Featuring Stefano Materia (BSC), Simone Mantovani (MEEO), Catherine Morfopoulos (ICL), Sébastien Garrigues (ECMWF), Pier Luigi Vidale (UREAD), and Daniele Peano (CMCC), the first episode highlights the collaborative spirit of the project and the shared motivation to improve our understanding of the Earth’s complex systems.

The introductory video marks the beginning of a broader communication campaign that will continue with six follow-up episodes. Each upcoming video will focus on a specific topic and objective within the project, explaining key scientific concepts and demonstrating their relevance to real-world environmental challenges. Topics explored throughout the series will include data sharing platform, Earth observation, Earth system models, photosynthesis and ecosystem processes, the carbon cycle, and land system models.

By combining expert insights with accessible storytelling, the series aims to create an engaging and informative experience for viewers from both scientific and non-scientific backgrounds. Through these conversations, CONCERTO hopes to inspire greater awareness of the importance of collaborative environmental research and the role science plays in understanding and protecting the planet.

The CONCERTO project is launching a new social media campaign dedicated to the individuals who make its collaboration truly special. Titled People of CONCERTO, the initiative shifts the spotlight from organisations to the people whose expertise, passion, and teamwork drive the project forward.

Following a successful phase highlighting CONCERTO’s partner organisations, this new campaign marks the next step in telling the project’s story by focusing on the human side of collaboration.

Across 13 partner organisations, CONCERTO brings together a diverse community of professionals, each contributing their knowledge and experience to achieve shared goals. Behind every milestone and every result, there are people whose commitment and creativity make a real difference.

Over the coming weeks, the People of CONCERTO campaign will introduce these individuals, sharing their stories, roles, and contributions. The aim is simple: to recognise the people behind the project and to highlight that meaningful impact starts with real human connections.