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A miracle in extremely cold weather! Why can some plants survive in the extreme cold of -40°C?
With global climate change, extreme weather phenomena are becoming more frequent in many regions, especially the cold winters, which pose survival challenges to many plants. However, scientists have discovered that some plants can survive in extremely cold environments as low as −40°C, which makes people wonder what kind of survival mechanisms and adaptability these plants have?
Cold tolerance of plants
The hardiness of plants describes their ability to survive adverse growing conditions, particularly extreme climates. This is not just about tolerance to low temperatures, but also resistance to various climatic conditions such as drought or wind. According to the growth characteristics of plants, their cold resistance can be divided into two categories: cold-resistant plants and tender plants. The former can withstand temperatures below a certain range, while the latter cannot withstand freezing conditions.
In extremely cold environments, some plants can survive by using a super-cooling mechanism to reduce ice crystal formation in their cells.
Characteristics of winter-hardy plants
Many winter-hardy plants can remain healthy and dormant in severe freezes. These plants are not limited to evergreens that can survive cold weather, but also include many crops such as various cabbages, cauliflowers, and carrots. Such plants can continue to grow in winter, or bulbous plants that need low temperatures to bloom, such as tulips.
Mechanics of survival
To cope with low temperatures, woody plants have adopted different survival strategies, the most common of which is supercooling. The process involves inhibiting the formation of ice crystals within cells, or allowing water to freeze in slightly unaffected parts of the plant. For some cold-tolerant plants, the effectiveness of this process depends on their adaptability.
Different Hardiness Rating Systems
In the plant world, there are several hardiness rating systems. Of these, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) cold-hardiness zone distribution system is the most extensive, based on the average annual minimum temperature. The Royal Horticultural Society in the UK has established a rating standard from H1a to H7 for various plants. This grading system helps gardeners better understand and select plants suitable for local growth.
The growth success of cold-resistant plants depends not only on their own characteristics, but also on the changes in the current environment and the health status of the plants themselves.
Conclusion
As climate anomalies intensify, plants on both sides of the road may be facing unprecedented pressure and challenges. Will this prompt us to think deeply about how to find those tenacious plants that can still survive and thrive in future environmental changes?
