Today’s Solutions: March 28, 2024

We’re doing a lot to adapt to climate change, from creating tree cities and sponge cities to speeding up the schedule for renewable energy. As it turns out, though, humans aren’t the only ones getting ready and adapting to a changing climate. 

California’s iconic redwoods have started growing special new leaves to deal with drought. 

Making their own tools 

Tree leaves absorbing water is nothing new, but according to a new study in the American Journal of Botany, redwood leaves adjust their capacity for water depending on their environment. 

Redwoods have two kinds of leaf shoots, axial and peripheral. Peripheral shoots are what most of us would identify as leaves, and they’re longer and perform photosynthesis. The axial shoots, though, are smaller and bunched closer to the twigs, and they absorb four times more water than the peripheral shoots. 

The research found that trees in drier locations are growing axial leaves higher on the trunk, making them better able to absorb moisture from rain or fog. In wetter climates like Oregon, where drought isn’t as severe as in California, redwoods are growing their axial leaves lower on their trunks. 

We’re seeing trees reaching for moisture higher up where they can get it, adapting in real-time to drought and a changing climate.

Solutions News Source Print this article
More of Today's Solutions

Rowing against the current: Botswana’s women safari guides inspire and empower

In the calm of Botswana's Okavango Delta, where the morning sun creates a golden glow on the water's surface, an amazing metamorphosis is occurring. ...

Read More

The future of healing: 3D printing skin directly onto open wounds

Pennsylvania State University researchers achieved a major medical science breakthrough by being the first team ever to 3D print real human skin tissue directly ...

Read More

These solar-powered barges can scoop up 50 tons of plastic from rivers each day

While removing the plastic waste that currently contaminates the ocean today will be crucial for protecting marine ecosystems, it is arguably more important that ...

Read More

A bold step towards climate action and job creation: The American Climate Corps

The White House announced the creation of the American Climate Corps, a breakthrough program that will transform the climate action landscape. This ambitious project ...

Read More