Researchers at the University of Antwerp in Belgium have created a database to track how plants worldwide convert sunlight and carbon dioxide into biomass. Biomass includes all the organic matter that plants create through photosynthesis, such as leaves, wood, and roots. The database compiles standardized field data from approximately 450 sites across forests, grasslands, tundra, peatlands, and shrublands, along with detailed climate, soil, and land-use information. By harmonizing diverse methods and including uncertainty estimates, it offers a consistent global benchmark for understanding how climate change, land use, and human activity affect carbon cycling and ecosystem health.
Image Credits: Chris Abney
