Anthropogenic climate change brings many challenges for society, and for science. But without knowledge of past climate changes and their impacts, we are flying blind. Climate changes, with diverse causes,…Read More >
Blogs
The Land Carbon Sink: Why Plant Nutrient Strategies Hold the Key
A new study published in Nature Climate Change—Plant nutrient acquisition under elevated CO₂ and implications for the land carbon sink—offers fresh insight into a long-standing climate science puzzle: how nutrient…Read More >
Leaf Nitrogen Declines: What European Forests Reveal About CO₂ Acclimation and Ecosystem Resilience
One of the biological signals emerging from our changing climate is a decline in leaf nitrogen concentrations (LNC) across ecosystems worldwide. For years, this trend has raised concern: Are forests…Read More >
LEMONTREE at ESA 2025: Exploring Trait-Based Ecology, Resource Economics & Global Change
From August 10th–15th, four members of the LEMONTREE project from Nick Smith’s Lab (Texas Tech University) will be presenting their research at the Ecological Society of America’s 2025 Annual Meeting…Read More >
What rain pulses reveal about carbon losses in dryland ecosystems
Drylands are sprawling regions that cover one-third of the Earth’s land surface. In these regions, rain is infrequent, but when it comes, it doesn’t just nourish plants, it also sparks…Read More >
Exploring Functional Diversity Through Traits: Updates from Working Group D
Understanding how vegetation responds to environmental change is one of the most pressing challenges in Earth system science. Working Group D of the LEMONTREE Science Project is tackling this problem…Read More >
Testing Eco-Evolutionary Theory: How Tropical Forest Traits vary with Dryness
By Huanyuan Zhang-Zheng We have seen many global analyses of plant traits. Admittedly, many of them are intriguing and insightful. However, there is a reoccurring issue evident in most…Read More >
Using eddy covariance to infer global patterns of vegetation Carbon Use Efficiency
Understanding Carbon Use Efficiency Understanding how vegetation responds to environmental variability is key to predicting the future of the global carbon cycle. One important concept in this context is carbon…Read More >
The Ecological Impact of Rossby Wave-7 Events in a Warming Climate
In a warming world, climate extremes are no longer isolated events. Increasingly, heatwaves, droughts, and floods strike in tandem, overwhelming natural ecosystems. One underappreciated driver of these compound extremes is…Read More >
Leaf trait plasticity across timescales
Plants face a constant challenge: adapting their leaves to ever-changing environmental conditions while maximising their ability to capture carbon through photosynthesis. But how exactly do leaves adjust their key traits…Read More >
