Adaptation of medicinal plants to climate change

Adaptation of medicinal plants to climate change

adaptation of medicinal plants to climate change

In times of climate change, many ecosystems and the biodiversity existing therein are threatened. Even medicinal plants that play a major role in naturopathy and pharmacy are also not spared the effects of climate change. The increase in global average temperatures, changed precipitation patterns and extreme weather events put the adaptability of plants to the test. This article examines how medicinal plants react to climate change and what effects this could have on their medical use.

effects of climate change on medicinal plants

Climate change means that ecological conditions change in many regions of the earth. The most important effects of climate change on medicinal plants are:

1. changes in temperature : The increase in the average temperatures can change the flowering time of plants and thus influence the time of seed production. Changed temperatures can also influence the quality and quantity of the ingredients in medicinal plants.

2. changed precipitation patterns : climate change leads to increased droughts in some regions and increased rainfall in others. Plants have to adapt to these changes to get enough water for their growth and development.

3. more frequent extreme weather events : medicinal plants are susceptible to extreme weather events such as storms, floods or heat waves. These events can damage or even destroy the plants.

adaptation strategies of medicinal plants

Medicinal plants can react to different ways to climate change:

1. migration : Plants have the ability to spread into new regions that now offer cheaper growth conditions. This enables you to escape the changed ecological conditions.

2. phenotypical adjustments : Plants can adapt their properties to the changed environmental conditions, for example by moving their flowering times or adapting to changed precipitation patterns. These adjustments can be made on both the genetic level and by epigenetic mechanisms.

3. Symbiotic relationships : Some medicinal plants form symbiotic relationships with other organisms, such as mycorrhiza mushrooms that help you get nutrients. These relationships can help the plants to counteract the negative effects of climate change.

effects on medical use

The effects of climate change on medicinal plants can also have consequences for their medical use. Some potential effects are:

1. Change of the active ingredient composition : By changing the environmental conditions, the concentrations and the ratio of active ingredients in medicinal plants can change. This can have an impact on the effectiveness of the vegetable medicines.

2. Agency of availability : If plants are threatened by climate change in their habitat, this could lead to a decline in the availability of certain medicinal plants. This could make the supply of vegetable drugs more difficult.

3. changes in traditional medicine : climate change could also initiate changes in the traditional healing systems. If certain medicinal plants are no longer available, alternative therapy options must be found.

adaptation measures

In order to counteract the potential negative effects of climate change on medicinal plants, the following adaptation measures can be taken:

1. preservation of medicinal plant species : the protection and preservation of medicinal plants and their natural habitats are of crucial importance to ensure your long -term availability. This can be achieved through the protection of nature reserves and the control of invasive species.

2. research and breeding : Through targeted research and breeding programs, medicinal plant species can be identified or developed that are better adapted to the changed climatic conditions.

3. Sustainable harvest practices : Sustainable practices should be used in the harvest of medicinal plants to maintain and protect the natural stocks. This includes an appropriate regulation of the harvest and the promotion of sustainable cultivation methods.

conclusion

Climate change is a major challenge for medicinal plants because they have to react to changed environmental conditions and adapt. These adjustments could have an impact on the availability and quality of the medicinal plants used in naturopathy. It is therefore important to take measures to promote the preservation and sustainability of medicinal plants in order to ensure their long -term medical use.