Woody plants adapted to past climate change more slowly than herbs
Wednesday, September 23, 2009 - 12:37
in Earth & Climate
Can we predict which species will be most vulnerable to climate change by studying how they responded in the past? A new study of flowering plants provides a clue. An analysis of more than 5000 plant species reveals that woody plants - such as trees and shrubs - adapted to past climate change much more slowly than herbaceous plants did. If the past is any indicator of the future, woody plants may have a harder time than other plants keeping pace with global warming, researchers say.