Plants trade water for carbon. Every litre of water they extract from the soil allows them to take up a few more grams of carbon from the atmosphere in order to grow. A new global study published 2 March in Nature Climate Change shows that plants use their water wisely. They are adapted to the environment they live in and have developed strategies for their water usage. This work helps understanding how plants interact with climate and environment, as well as their ability to cope with climate change. The study is based on a large number of observations from different ecosystems now gathered in a freely available database for more research applications.
Involved BECC researchers are
Göran Wallin, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg
Johan Uddling, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg
Maj-Lena Linderson, Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University
More information
Yan-Shih Lin et al. “Optimal stomatal behavior around the world” Nature Climate Change, March 2015, Vol. 5. DOI: 10.1038/NCLIMATE2550