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.

A new scientific publication highlights the importance of accurately representing vegetation seasonal cycles in land surface models used to study the Earth’s climate system. The study, titled “Plant phenology evaluation of CRESCENDO land surface models using satellite-derived Leaf Area Index – Part 2: Seasonal trough, peak, and amplitude”, has been published in the journal Biogeosciences and provides a comprehensive assessment of how well current models capture key phases of vegetation dynamics.

Led by Daniele Peano and co-authored by Deborah Hemming, Christine Delire, Yuanchao Fan, Hanna Lee, Stefano Materia, Julia E. M. S. Nabel, Taejin Park, David Wårlind, Andy Wiltshire, and Sönke Zaehle, the research evaluates the seasonal behaviour of vegetation using satellite-derived estimates of Leaf Area Index (LAI). LAI is a key indicator of vegetation canopy structure and plays a central role in scaling plant processes to the regional and global levels, influencing how ecosystems interact with climate through carbon, water, and energy exchanges.

Using satellite LAI products, the study quantifies the global patterns of three important phenological metrics: the seasonal trough, peak, and amplitude of vegetation leaf area. These observations are then compared with simulations from seven land surface models that form part of state-of-the-art Earth system models developed within the CRESCENDO framework.

The results reveal that many of the models show substantial delays in the timing of seasonal vegetation dynamics. In some regions, the simulated timing of LAI troughs and peaks occurs up to three months later than indicated by satellite observations. These discrepancies are particularly evident across the Northern Hemisphere and reinforce findings from previous research showing that some models delay the onset of spring leaf development.

By analysing vegetation phenology at regional and global scales, the research emphasises the role of seasonal plant dynamics as a sensitive indicator of interactions between climate, hydrology, soil conditions, and plant physiology. Accurate representation of these processes is essential for improving predictions of ecosystem responses to environmental change.

The findings underline the need for continued refinement of phenology processes within land surface models. Enhancing the accuracy of seasonal vegetation cycles will help ensure that Earth system models more reliably simulate the dynamics of carbon, water, and energy exchanges between the land surface and the atmosphere. Such improvements are crucial for strengthening our understanding of ecosystem responses to climate change and for supporting the development of robust climate projections.

Between 24-25 February 2026, the CONCERTO consortium gathered in Barcelona, Spain, for its annual project meeting, bringing together around 40 participants in person and 10 colleagues online. Over two dynamic days, partners reaffirmed their shared commitment to improving carbon cycle representation through multi-scale models and Earth observation for terrestrial ecosystems.

The meeting provided an important opportunity to reflect on progress achieved during the past year. All project partners delivered individual presentations outlining their scientific advancements, methodological developments, and key milestones reached within their respective work packages. These sessions highlighted the strong momentum built across the consortium and demonstrated the complementary expertise that underpins CONCERTO’s interdisciplinary approach.

Beyond reporting achievements, the meeting served as a platform for active collaboration. Dedicated working groups were established to address specific project goals, fostering focused discussions on technical challenges, data integration, and model development strategies. These interactive sessions encouraged open dialogue, strengthened synergies between teams, and helped refine the roadmap for the upcoming project phases.

The Barcelona meeting not only reinforced scientific coordination but also strengthened the collaborative spirit of the consortium. The combination of in-person engagement and online participation ensured inclusive and productive exchanges, reflecting CONCERTO’s commitment to effective and transparent cooperation.

As the project moves forward, the outcomes of this meeting will play a key role in shaping the next steps towards reducing uncertainty in carbon cycle modelling and enhancing the reliability of climate projections.