Stomata cover less than 5 % of the leaf surface and yet, they facilitate the majority of gas exchange between the atmosphere and terrestrial vegetation. The opening of stomata is adjusted to provide carbon dioxide influx for photosynthesis and to limit water loss. Fluctuating environmental conditions infuence stomata responses and consecutively productivity and water use efficiency in crops and natural ecosystems.

In this project, we apply novel temporal 3D imaging for a better description and mechanistic understanding of stomatal movements. The combination of high resolution microCT, fluorescence microscopy and automated segmentation of images by novel computational methods allows to track stomatal movements from subcellular to whole leaf traits. We will answer long-standing questions on how to improve stomatal responses under changing environments to increase water-use efficiency and net productivity.