risk to Araucarias ? "First snowfall in Buenos Aires since 1918"

Discussion in 'Araucariaceae' started by jaro_in_montreal, Jul 12, 2007.

  1. jaro_in_montreal

    jaro_in_montreal Active Member

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    This has inspired many jokes about global warming -- but are there any risks to local flora ?
     
  2. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    If this weather reached them (a fairly big if - the Araucaria angustifolia forests are 1,000km further north, though also at higher altitude), it is unlikely to have harmed them. Native vegetation is very rarely harmed, as a 100-year cold is nothing to the amount of time they have been there. A lot of the trees alive now would also have been alive for the previous cold snap, or two (or three or four!).

    A lot of introduced ornamental plants are likely to be affected though, as people keep trying to go for zone denial - trying to grow truly tropical species, when they should stick to subtropical.
     
  3. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Yes, unless newly migrated to an area or the local climate has changed since they arrived native stands may have come through thousands of years of regional weather variations.
     

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