Climate change will make plants—and us—thirstier. The combined effects of increased CO2 levels and warmer temperatures will increase water consumption by vegetation.
By the end of the century plants could consume substantially more water, leaving less for people across North America, Europe, and Central Asia—even if it rains and snows more, a new study reports today in the journal Nature Geoscience.
Plants are the primary regulators of the water cycle, responsible for 60 percent of the flow of water from the land to the atmosphere. Research now shows how climate change is altering this vital cycle in several different ways.
Due to climate change global food security threat is create and it is one of the most important challenges in the 21st century. Continuous increase in population in the stressed environment is raising a strong question how to supply sufficient food? Assessment of WHO stated that 60% of the world population depends on traditional medicines which are basically obtained from plants. Anthropogenic activities plays important role and contributing towards climate changes around the world.
OVERVIEW
Plants matter!!!
According to recent study published in Journal Nature Climate Change, Climate change could lead to the globally widespread loss of plants occurred around the world. This study collected data of 50,000 common species plants as well as animals. They concluded that more than half of the plants would get affected till 2080 due to continuous rise in greenhouse gas emissions.
Plants are dependent on certain factor such as temperature, light, carbon dioxide (CO2), rainfall and moisture to produce the crop products which are essential for human nutrition as well as health. The amount of these factors varies between locations. Crop management is therefore a huge challenge because it is always highly dependent on climate and environmental factors.
Crop production also provides the food, fodder and fiber for clothes. Continuous increases in population create plenty of burdens on earth and this is the one of the major factor affecting climate. Climate change has pronounced effect on biogeography, temperature, rainfall, soil and herbivory.
Learn more by reading the FULL SCIENTIFIC BACKGROUND
Use the INFO-GRAPHIC to present the topic to your class
Select one of the following Class activities:
- Plantlife cycle
- Pinecone Weather station
- Plant seeds – Watch them Grow
- What do Plants Need to Grow – Song