University of Innsbruck research reveals how heat and drought damage plants

Research from the University of Innsbruck indicates that heatwaves and drought pose a significant threat to plant life by destroying their natural climate regulation. Botanist Gilbert Neuner explains that prolonged exposure to temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius or higher can cause proteins in leaves to denature, similar to how egg whites solidify when cooked.

Water scarcity exacerbates this issue because plants lose the ability to cool themselves through transpiration. Additionally, the protective waxy layer on leaves, known as the cuticle, can melt and become porous under extreme heat, leading to fatal water loss.

Laboratory experiments revealed that most plants, including both alpine flowers and tropical species, can withstand temperatures between 44 and 55 degrees Celsius for short durations of about thirty minutes. However, the duration of exposure is critical; while a leaf might survive 45 degrees Celsius for half an hour, damage was observed at just 40 degrees Celsius when the heat lasted for four hours. Most plants are similar in tolerance, though aquatic plants are more sensitive and certain desert species can withstand up to 66 degrees Celsius.