Due to greenhouse gas-induced climate change, trees are increasingly exposed to extreme drought and heat. Carbon dioxide is known to be the main nutrient of plants. By photosynthesis, plants use sunlight to convert CO2 and water into carbohydrates and biomass. Periods of drought and heat, however, increase the stress level of the trees. Their roots have difficulties reaching the water. To reduce evaporation losses, trees close the stomata of their leaves, as a result of which they take up less CO2 from the air. The study is reported in New Phytologist.
— source Karlsruher Institut für Technologie | Mar 26, 2020