The photosynthesis process begins to fail from average temperatures of 46.7°C and this is a serious problem.
Photosynthesis It is a vital process for plants and also for humans. With this, plants take CO2 from the atmosphere and transform it into oxygen that It is essential for the survival of all living things. terrestrial. However, due to climate change and the greenhouse effect this process could be in serious jeopardy.
The first consequence of climate change that we are suffering throughout the world, what is more, it is taken for granted that it will affect half the planet, is the rapid rise in temperatures. In Spain the average temperature has risen disturbingly until overcoming the barrier of 40 ºC which was rare before. Now the thermal sensation far exceeds this figure.
Photosynthesis in the tropics could disappear
This increase in temperatures can be combated in our day-to-day lives, but plants cannot be outdoors. A new study conducted by the journal Nature and collected by Guardian has announced that forests found in the tropics could be endangered by this increase in heat.
Specifically, the process of photosynthesis would be in danger, since it stops working in many plants when they reach an average temperature of 46.7 ºC. Taking into account that in many places this figure has been exceeded, it could lead to the massive death of leaves that would leave many deforested forests.
The overwhelming scientific avalanche in @Nature on the impacts of climate change.
1) Tropical forests are approaching critical temperature thresholds and plant photosynthesis is in danger.
2) The melting of the Arctic is causing the “widespread release” of methane. pic.twitter.com/8Q5MHepTL9– Andrés Actis (@ActisAndres) August 24, 2023
chris dougthythe associate professor at Northern Arizona University and principal investigator of the study, has stated that checking for leaf warming “acts like a canary in a coal mine for tropical ecosystems.” This means that they are crucial to monitor the increase in temperatures in the tropics.
Doughty didn’t stay here and raised an alarm signal regarding this issue:
If we adopt a do-nothing response to climate change and air temperatures in tropical forests rise by more than 4°C, there could be massive leaf die-off, possible tree mortality and species turnover in all tropical forests. .
The statements leave little doubt and they leave us the vision of a disturbing future in which the photosynthesis of the plants of the tropics could end up disappearing. Will have to watch out to see what measures the governments are going to take in this regard in this situation.