Leaves of Western Ghats Trees Breaching Heat Limits, Study Warns of Climate Stress on Crops
A new study reveals that leaves of several agroforestry and forest species in Karnataka's Western Ghats are regularly exposed to dangerously high temperatures, putting their health and the region’s economy at serious risk. Many species have already surpassed critical heat thresholds that impair photosynthesis and may cause irreversible damage.
Study Site in Karnataka Shows Early Signs of Thermal Stress
Researchers conducted a 4.5-month-long study in 2023 at Hosagadde village near Sirsi, a region frequently experiencing temperatures above 40°C. They monitored 13 agroforestry crops and 4 native forest species, using T₅₀ the temperature at which a leaf's photosynthetic ability drops by 50% as a key stress marker. The findings show that many leaves are crossing this threshold far t...