Trees and water stress.
by Chris, 29 August, 2020, 0 comments
Whilst it is not possible to attribute a particular weather event to climate change alone, what is clear is that climate change / global warming intensifies certain meteorological events. High temperatures and reduced rainfall have lead to the extreme fires seen recently in Australia and on the pacific coast of America. Floods and periods of drought are now more common and the last two decades have seen some of the warmest years on record - in the U.K. . Whilst too much water can result in the death of trees and plants as the soil becomes water-logged - so oxygen cannot reach the root - drought also stresses trees and other plants.
Drought-induced death of trees is associated with the failure of the water transporting system (xylem), but the process is poorly understood. Tree, indeed plant survival, is dependent on a continuous supply of water to the leaves. Read more...
