Climate Change
Records show that global climate is variable but that there has been a consistent warming trend over recent decades and this trend is predicted to continue. Vegetation responds to climate change but also plays a significant role in moderating global climate. In addition to fixing carbon dioxide, plants absorb solar energy and help in the retention of soil moisture so on a global scale, changes in vegetation cover can have a significant impact on climate.
The role of plant scientists
Our understanding of global climate dynamics and the future impacts of changing climate on ecosystems is imperfect. To improve our understanding, plant scientists research how climates have changed in the past and reconstruct ancient vegetation communities to investigate long-term climate change impacts. They also investigate how plants respond to current climate change through changes in phenology (timing of recurring natural events such as leaf unfolding) and responses to changes in temperature, moisture and carbon dioxide levels (ecophysiology). Climate change will also influence plant distribution (biogeography) by enabling some species to expand their range while others will contract (e.g. Irish alpine species).
Current relevant research in the Botany Department
Phenology is the study of the timing of recurring natural events such as leaf unfolding and bird migration. This project is investigating evidence of climate change responses from a wide range of species from Ireland and overseas: www.tcd.ie/Botany/phenology/
The biogeography of plants and their response to climate change is currently under investigation by several research groups in Botany. For examples see BioChange: www.biochange.ie/ and Bioplan in the PLANFORBIO project: www.ucc.ie/en/planforbio/)
Carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions by peatlands and agricultural soils are currently being investigated by two research groups to quantify how much this can influence the global carbon cycle and hence impact global climate.
The use of bioenergy crops, in particular perennial grasses, to offset greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, is being researched in Europe and Africa.
Relevant undergraduate and masters modules taught in the Botany Department
BO3120 Environmental History
BO4101 Environmental Physiology
BO4105 Global Environmental Change
BO3105 Fundamentals of Ecology
ES7045/BD7059 Impacts of Climate Change