Desert plants have evolved various adaptations to cope with the challenges of water scarcity, high temperature, low humidity, and intense solar radiation.
One of the most important adaptations of desert plants is their seed production and germination.
Seeds are the main way that desert plants reproduce and disperse, and they are crucial for their survival and persistence.
However, how do desert plant seeds respond to the changing climate conditions, such as warming and drought? And what are the physiological mechanisms that enable them to adapt to these stresses?
A recent study by researchers from the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources (NIEER) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has revealed some of the answers to these questions.
The study was published in Acta Physiologiae Plantarum on July 8.
The effects of warming and drought on desert plant seeds
The researchers conducted a field experiment in Horqin sandy land, northeast China, where they collected seeds of three dominant psammophytes (sand-dwelling plants): Artemisia scoparia, Lespedeza davurica, and Cleistogenes squarrosa, as per Phys.org.
They exposed the seeds to different levels of temperature and precipitation, simulating the scenarios of warming and drought under climate change.
They then measured various physiological parameters of the seeds, such as malondialdehyde (MDA) content, proline content, soluble sugar content, soluble protein content, and germination rate.
The results showed that warming and drought had significant effects on the physiological characteristics of desert plant seeds.
Warming increased the MDA content of the seeds, indicating that it caused oxidative stress and membrane damage.
Drought increased the proline content of the seeds, indicating that it enhanced their osmotic adjustment and water retention.
These issues have also affected the soluble sugar and protein contents of the seeds, indicating that they altered their energy metabolism and enzyme activity.
Both also reduced the germination rate of the seeds, indicating that they impaired their viability and vigor.
The researchers also found that different species had different responses to warming and drought. For example, C. squarrosa was more sensitive to warming than A. scoparia and L. davurica, while L. davurica was more sensitive to drought than A. scoparia and C. squarrosa.
These differences suggested that different species had different adaptation strategies and mechanisms to cope with climate stress.
Also Read: Drought in Western US Could Last Until 2030 Due to Climate Change
The implications of the study for desert plant conservation
The study revealed some of the physiological characteristics and mechanisms of desert plant seeds under warming and drought conditions.
These findings can help us understand how desert plants cope with climate change and how they may evolve in the future. The study also provided some insights into desert plant conservation and restoration.
It suggested that warming and drought could pose serious threats to desert plant survival and reproduction by affecting their seed physiology and germination.
Therefore, it is important to monitor and mitigate the impacts of climate change on desert ecosystems and to protect and restore their biodiversity and functions.
Moreover, different species had different response abilities and adaptation mechanisms to climate stress, according to the research.
With that, considering the species-specific characteristics and needs when planning conservation and restoration actions for desert plants is essential.
Lastly, the researchers suggested that desert plant seeds had some inherent resilience and plasticity to cope with climate stress by regulating their physiological processes.
Harnessing these potential advantages and enhance them through scientific research and innovation for desert plant conservation and restoration would be helpful in the long run as per the recommendation.
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