Woody plants adapted to past climate change more slowly than herbs
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.
For full story visit http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-09/nesc-wpa091709.php
CITATION: Smith, S. A. and J. M. Beaulieu. (2009). "Life-history influences rates of climatic niche evolution in flowering plants." Proceedings of the Royal Society B doi: 10.1098/rspb.2009.1176.
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