Warming-related drought leads to decline in plant growth, reversing earlier trend

Plant growth declines as warming causes drought

WASHINGTON — A new study finds that drought related to global warming is causing a decline in the world’s plant productivity.

Previously, warmer temperatures had led to more plant growth.

The reversal is reported in Friday’s issue of the journal Science by University of Montana researchers, who worry that the result could affect growth of plants for food and fuels.

Plus, they say, if there are fewer plants, they will take up less carbon dioxide from the air, and more CO2 in the air could worsen global warming.