Scientists have launched a new global database tracking how the world’s land ecosystems produce and store biomass, offering unprecedented insights into the carbon cycle. The resource, published in Scientific Data, brings together net primary production (NPP) measurements from 456 sites across 50 countries, filling a critical gap in climate and ecosystem science.
Developed with contributions from the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC), the dataset covers forests, grasslands, croplands, peatlands, tundra and shrublands, with records spanning from 1959 to 2023. It is the first consistent, quality-controlled global database of its kind since the 1980s.
Why ecosystem productivity matters
Net primary production (NPP) represents the carbon captured by plants through photosynthesis, minus the carbon they release through respiration. In simple terms, it is the amount of new plant biomass ecosystems produce each year. NPP underpins the carbon cycle, influences food production, and is essential for understanding how climate change affects the planet’s land systems.
Until now, differences in research methods and lack of belowground data have left major gaps in understanding. The new database integrates both above- and belowground measurements, with around 95% of data derived from direct field observations. This provides scientists and policymakers with more accurate benchmarks for ecosystem responses to drought, deforestation, wildfires, and other climate pressures.
Supporting climate action
The database will help improve the accuracy of climate models, particularly Dynamic Global Vegetation Models used to project future carbon storage. It also offers valuable information for sustainable land management, resource planning, and biodiversity protection.
Dr Manuela Balzarolo, senior scientist at CMCC and co-author of the study, explained: “Net primary production is fundamental for monitoring changes in biomass production. By tracking how ecosystems store carbon, this database provides a benchmark for better climate projections and more sustainable resource management worldwide.”
A collaborative effort
The work draws on decades of global field research and extensive international collaboration, with contributions from institutions including the University of Antwerp. It is freely available for scientists, policymakers, and environmental organisations, encouraging greater cooperation in tackling the global climate crisis.
