The Southwest is experiencing more frequent and severe heat waves, damaging desert plants like saguaro cacti and agave that are known for thriving in harsh conditions. Climate change is making heat waves more intense, causing increased damage to these iconic plants. Horticulturalists like Norm Schilling are seeing effects like sunburned leaves, dried-out trees, and severe decline in plant health due to the extended periods of extreme heat. Las Vegas, for example, experienced record-breaking temperatures this summer, posing a threat to the survival of many desert plant species.
Ecologists are studying how different species respond to persistent extreme heat and determining what temperatures are too hot for desert plants. Kevin Hultine of the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix has observed an increase in saguaro cactus mortality since 2020, with the heat stress from the severe drought and heat waves causing significant die-offs. The ongoing trend of extreme heat is challenging the resilience of desert plants, forcing researchers to understand and address the impacts of climate change on these ecosystems. The changing climate is creating a new paradigm where the survival of desert plants is increasingly at risk, and efforts to mitigate the heat stress on these iconic species are crucial for their long-term protection.
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