Increased carbon assimilation and efficient water usage may not compensate for carbon loss in European forests

Abstract Phenological responses of vegetation to global warming impact ecosystem gross primary production and evapotranspiration. However, high resolution large spatial scale observational evidence such in undisturbed core forest areas is lacking. Here, we analyse MODIS satellite data assess monthly trends productivity evapotranspiration across Europe between 2000 2020. Both parameters increased during the early spring late autumn nearly half total area (3601.5 km2). Enhanced drove water-use-efficiency (the ratio evapotranspiration). increases were not sufficient compensate for summertime decreases 25% areas. Overall, 20% all European was offset by that exhibited a net decrease productivity.