Plants on mountains avoid impacts of global warming

Plants have to go to the mountains to protect themselves from the effects of global warming. The above comments were studied and demonstrated by botanical experts of Moscow National University and Karachay-Cherkessia University in Northern Caucasus (Russia) in cooperation with Dutch colleagues.

During the study, the scientists observed the evolution of the flora in four Teberdinsky mountain plantations in the Northwest Caucasus for nearly 30 years, and conducted mass measurements. Plant shoots, area and thickness of leaves, and some other parameters for more than 50 alpine plants annually.

Photo: ragjr.com

According to the researchers, although in the past 25 years, the regional temperature has only increased by 0.6 degrees C on average, while in the summer - the growth and development season of plants, the temperature has only increased by 2. C degree but plants have "reacted quite strongly" to this change.

Accordingly, the proportion of high mountain plant species increases significantly, although the optimal development conditions for them are in areas lower than 100m. In addition, the leaf blade thickness of many alpine plants also increases with increasing temperature.

On the other hand, many alpine plants have the ability to propagate by clonal methods above and below the ground. However, as the temperature rises, the chances of seed formation also increase, so herbs and flowers of alpine plant communities have actually begun to produce more seeds than in previous years.

In addition, the geo-botanical experts of Moscow National University studied the evolution of tundra flora two years ago and realized important transitions - the tundra is turning green. and species diversity also increased.

Research by Russian scientists adds another proof that global warming affects the composition and structure of the world's plant populations.