This year thermometers did not give up. abnormally high temperatures, an extremely hot summer and autumn with records much warmer than usual, nature is once again showing signs of the destruction caused by the persistence of high temperatures. This year, for example, fruit trees and wild plants flourish In autumn in various parts of Spain, such as Catalonia. Observed in various parts of the region almond, cherry and plum blossoms In the middle of October. This is the second bloom of the year, and according to experts, something “very unusual”.
a joint analysis ‘FenoCat’ network Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya and citizen observatory ‘RitmeNatura’ The Center for Ecological Research (CREAF) points out that this phenomenon may be related to the high temperatures last October: the warmest temperature in the last 70 years. This abnormal autumn heat may have altered the natural cycles of many species by changing their bloom times, among other things.
“Autumn flowers are no more inconspicuous than spring flowers.a, but it may mean expending some of the resources for plants that they may need in the spring during maximum vegetative activity,” he says. ester prattCoordinator of the ‘RitmeNatura’ project.
shedding of leaves from trees
other great symptom of weather abnormalities It can be observed in the leaves of trees in nature. This year, autumn colors arrived weeks later than usual. And leaf fall is also postponed compared to the usual program. “If it’s warmer, deciduous trees hold their leaves longer and therefore fall later, and the entire decomposition cycle is temporarily altered,” he explains. Jordi CunilleraHead of the Climate Change team of Servei Meteorològic de Catalunya.
this is not the first that such inconsistencies are observed in nature. In fact, as the climate crisis progresses, these “anomalies” are being detected with increasing frequency in various corners of the world. ‘Climate Connections’ platform from Yale University, Similar cases in the United States. Experts suggest that there may be a drought. one key trigger For this phenomenon, at a time when high autumn temperatures coincide with the absence of water sources, plants bloom out of season.
Experts find that the leaves of the trees are falling late and the arrival of autumn colors is delayed.
Various studies have shown that, on the one hand, vegetation blooms out of season, and on the other flower season starts early. A study by the University of Cambridge in the UK shoots progressed up to a month in the last century. According to the experts leading this analysis, this change in the natural calendar could have consequences for the entire ecosystem. especially for species (or activities) directly related to flowers.
Experts point out two main dangers For one thing behind this phenomenon, it blooms in the fall reduce the number of cocoons can be used for spring. On the other hand, early spring shoots may be subject to more climatic disturbances. “For example, if fruit trees bloom early after a mild winter, all crops can die if flowers hit a late frost“, emphasizes the Cambridge analysis.
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