8월 마지막 업데이트 1, 2023
August 1st, 2023 — The relentless and record-breaking heat wave in Arizona is unleashing its wrath on even the most resilient denizens of the desert landscape.
이 맹렬한 공격의 희생자 중에는 장엄한 사와로 선인장이 있습니다., 소노라 사막의 상징적인 거인, 숨 막힐 듯 무자비한 열기 속에서 팔이 무너지고 쓰러지고 있는 것입니다..
Saguaros are renowned for their incredible longevity, capable of enduring for hundreds of years. 아직, even these time-tested giants are not impervious to the far-reaching effects of climate change.
As the temperatures soar, they are facing the harsh reality of overheating and dehydration, factors that have become all too familiar in this increasingly hot and arid environment, ultimately culminating in their tragic collapse.
"The cacti are literally suffocating,” expressed Kimberly McCue, chief science officer at the esteemed Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, with an air of concern etched across her face. “In this extreme heat, they find themselves unable to open their pores at night to cool down, and as a consequence, they are left to bake under the relentless sun.”
For Phoenix, the epicenter of this heat wave, 2023 has seen an unprecedented 22 days registering 110 degrees or higher on the thermometer, pushing the boundaries of what was once considered merely extreme heat.
추가적으로, the city has had to endure unusually warm overnight temperatures, presenting yet another challenge for the already struggling cacti population in their attempt to recover from the sweltering days.
"The warm nights are really the killer,” observed Kevin Hultine, director of research at the Desert Botanical Garden. "Without the chance to cool down during the night, these saguaros are facing an uphill battle in their battle for survival."
하지만, the consequences of this heat wave extend beyond saguaros, encompassing other desert plants as well.
Earlier this year, scientists had already showned concern about the health of native desert shrubs and trees in the Southwest. A study published in Functional Ecology found that piñon pines and juniper trees are being stressed by the combination of rising temperatures and prolonged droughts as a result of climate change.
Palo verde trees, known for their vibrant yellow flowers, are succumbing to the hostile climate, shedding leaves and branches under the strain. 오코틸로, those enigmatic spiny shrubs adorned with fiery red flowers, are not faring any better and are exhibiting signs of stress due to the extreme conditions.
The high temperatures are wreaking havoc on the plants’ water retention mechanisms, causing them to lose water at an accelerated rate, severely exacerbating their vulnerability to pest infestations and diseases.
Some plants are enduring such extreme heat that it is, 말 그대로, causing them to cook from the inside out—a slow and painful demise in the face of an unyielding climate.
This alarming scenario is merely a foreshadowing of what the future may hold, as experts predict that such extreme heat waves will become increasingly common as the climate continues to change.
For the cacti and other desert flora, the prospects look grim as they attempt to adapt to the rising temperatures and prolonged heat waves.
"The cacti are our canaries in the coal mine,” McCue asserted passionately. "They are sounding the alarm, telling us that our environment is undergoing significant transformations, and they are urging us to take immediate and decisive action."
The situation unfolding in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and its far-reaching consequences. As the heat wave continues its merciless march, the survival of these cherished saguaros and other iconic desert plants hangs in the balance, their fate intertwined with the actions—or inactions—of humanity in the face of a rapidly changing world.
또한 읽기: There is Nothing “Normal” About the Heatwave in Phoenix This Summer
참고문헌:
- Arizona saguaros are collapsing in this extreme heat, and experts are worried
- Saguaro Cacti Collapsing in Arizona Extreme Heat, Scientist Says
- Arizona’s record heat is even killing saguaros
샌드스포츠와 사막 모험 여행의 세계에 대한 최고의 정보 출처. 우리의 기사는 광범위한 연구의 결과입니다, 개인적인 경험, 글로벌 샌드보딩 커뮤니티 내 지식 공유.
