With 4C Global Average Temp Increase, Rise In Plant Mortality Rates May Hit 40% - Science Daily

[hatrack]

Science Daily — Scientists from the Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies* have formulated a universal rule that explains the equilibrium of plant communities, showing how plants assure the survival of their species whether their lives last a day or are prolonged over centuries.

The research project authored by Carlos Duarte, Nuria Agustì and Nuria Marba also concludes that the life span of these organisms may be sensitive to rises in temperature. According to the their predictions, the mortality of plants could increase by 40% if land temperatures rise by up to 4ºC (the rate of increase projected for the 21st century by climate change prediction models).

The reasons why organisms cease functioning and die is still one of the big questions for science. Some trees live for centuries while the smallest herbs last no more than a few months. However, there is no real reason why herbs should not, in theory, live as long as trees, given that all photosynthetic organisms -- plants -- can live indefinitely in the absence of disturbances.

The authors examined the mortality and population growth rates of 700 phototrophs, ranging from the very smallest -- the cells of the marine photosynthetic cyanobacteria Prochloroccocus (just half a micrometer across yet responsible for a considerable fraction of marine photosynthesis) -- up to the largest species of trees, in search of general rules conducive to an improved understanding of plant life span regulation. The results of the study identify phytoplankton as the shortest lived beings, with a span of around one day, while some trees reach ages of a thousand years. This was possible thanks to a methodology developed by Susana Agustí, using techniques that have permitted the first ever quantification of the cell death of phytoplankton.

EDIT

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070918100603.htm

[XemaSab]

1. This is a very limited study.

Warmer weather will create different rainfall patterns and of course accompany increased CO2.

As my plant physiology teacher put it, "For every creature hurt by global warming, another one will be dancing the dance of eternal joy."

[greenman3610]

2. your plant physiology teacher needs to study up

I recommend "With Speed and Violence, why Scientists Fear Tipping Points in Climate Change"
by Fred Pearce.

for instance - the Amazon rain forest is feared to be near a tipping point where it
may well collapse into some kind of dry savanahh environment.
Now, this may be reason for some kinds of scrub grasses to dance - but
it would no doubt have a major impact on rainfall patterns throughout the
planet, and as well release untold billions of tons of forest-sequestered
carbon into the atmosphere.

[XemaSab]

3. Where would the ITCZ be then?

Actually, my third favorite total destruction theory involves the collapse of the Hadley cells and a reforming into new and different circulatory patterns.

:popcorn:

[Dead_Parrot]

4. Out of interest...

...what are the first two?
(:popcorn: & :beer:)

[XemaSab]

5. Okay!

A MASSIVE, sudden collapse of the Antarctic ice sheet would be #1.

A rapid onset ice age would be #2.

Other favorite scenarios involve Yellowstone, megathrust quakes, and basalt flows. :)

[Dead_Parrot]

7. Cool

You must sleep as well as I do. Although I've got massive ocean clathrate releases at the top of my list...

:scared:

[hatrack]

6. Yeah, I LOVES me some Canfield Ocean scenario, too!!

:evilgrin: