When wildfire smoke pollutes the air, people are advised by doctors to stay indoors to avoid breathing in harmful particles and gases. However, what happens to trees and plants that are unable to escape from the smoke? Surprisingly, they respond in a similar way to humans – some trees close their “windows and doors” and essentially hold their breath.
Plants have pores on their leaves called stomata, which are like their mouths. While humans inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide, plants inhale carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen. Just like us, both humans and plants inhale chemicals from the air around them and release chemicals produced inside them.
Research from the early 1900s revealed that trees exposed to pollution from coal-burning had black granules clogging their leaf pores. This pollution affected the plants’ photosynthesis, but the long-term effects were not fully understood due to limited technology at that time.
Modern studies on the effects of wildfire smoke on plants have shown conflicting results. Some studies suggest that smoke can scatter light in a way that enhances photosynthesis and plant growth, while others indicate that plant productivity may drop during and after smoke exposure.
Wildfire smoke can become toxic as it travels long distances and chemically changes in sunlight. This can lead to the formation of ground-level ozone, which can harm both humans and plants. Smoke particles and gases can damage plants by degrading their leaf surface, oxidizing plant tissue, and impeding photosynthesis.
Researchers studying plant responses to wildfire smoke in Colorado discovered that Ponderosa pines closed their pores and stopped photosynthesizing when exposed to heavy smoke. By manipulating the temperature and humidity around the leaves, researchers were able to restore photosynthesis and volatile organic compound emissions.
The long-term effects of repeated exposure to wildfire smoke on plants, including trees and crops, are still unknown. With wildfires becoming more severe and frequent due to climate change and human activities, it is crucial to gain a better understanding of how these events impact plant life.
In conclusion, as researchers continue to study the effects of wildfire smoke on plants, it is evident that these events can have significant consequences on plant health and ecosystem dynamics. Understanding how plants respond to smoke exposure can help inform forest management policies and conservation efforts in the face of increasing wildfire risks.