Rising Through the Struggle: The Struggle and Persistance of Plants Through Climate Stress

By: Yesnia Solis

Figure 1. Roots of a tree growing through the cracks of dry soil. Freepik. The Impact of Climate Change Tree Roots Breaking Through Dry Cracked Ground Concept Climate Change Environmental Impact Drought Effects Tree Roots Soil Breakage. [accessed 2024 Oct 14]. https://www.freepik.com/premium-ai-image/impact-climate-change-tree-roots-breaking-through-dry-cracked-ground-concept-climate-change-environmental-impact-drought-effects-tree-roots-soil-breakage_252545689.htm

As concerns about the impacts of global warming grow each year, scientists and agricultures worry about how this problem may impact plants and the natural capital. Researchers have been studying how we can restore the natural capital of agriculture, but the earth may be capable of doing it itself. A study was conducted on the perennial pasture grass Festuca arundinacea throughout the four seasons, with the grass being in subplots that were subjected to simulated drought by less irrigation and a warming climate by adjusting the temperature of the site of study. Researchers observed the root plasticity of the grass and how it adapted to the changes. When the grass underwent “drought,” its roots would grow deeper to reach water but have a reduced diameter, maintaining the grass through the seasons. However, it had lower productivity in colder seasons. A warmer climate combined with drought also reduced the diameter of the roots and the nitrogen concentrations, causing lower production and reduced biomass. This shows that, while plants adapt to survive against environmental struggles, their productivity is not assured to be on the same level as the demand we have for them. Our resource demand and climate change are severely affecting our natural capital, and even if plants can adapt, we need to consider our future, knowing the effects we are causing. 

Original article:

Chandregowda MH, Tjoelker MG, Pendall E, Zhang H, Churchill AC, Power SA. 2023. Belowground carbon allocation, root trait plasticity, and productivity during drought and warming in a pasture grass. Jrnl of Exp Botany. 74(6):2127-2145. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erad021