Warming ‘reduces plants’ growth’

WARMER SPRINGS are leading to substantially reduced plant productivity across the Northern hemisphere in the later months of the year, a new study has revealed.

The results call into question the validity of current climate models that include plant productivity when assessing the amount of carbon captured by vegetation and what remains in the atmosphere.

Using 30 years of satellite images, an international team of scientists examined 41 million square kilometres of land in northern regions.

They found that the early onset in plant productivity caused by warmer springs does not continue into the summer and autumn months.

Previously, it was believed the earlier start to the growing season, due to increasing global temperatures, extended the growing season for vegetation.

Now, the team has found the adverse effects caused by a warmer spring, particularly those linked to depleted water supply, substantially reduced any benefit from longer warm seasons.

Professor Pierre Friedlingstein, from the University of Exeter, said: “Satellite images are providing unique information on the dynamic of terrestrial biosphere.”

For the research, satellite images across the entire globe north of the 30th parallel were studied. It allowed the team to determine point by point how much photosynthesis takes place and how much biomass is gained.

The team’s paper, Widespread Seasonal Compensation Effects Of Spring Warming On Northern Plant Productivity, is published in the journal