2021-Aug-03
Climate Change May Intensify Poison Ivy
If you are thinking that poison ivy appears to be thriving lately, it may not be your imagination. Everyone’s least favourite plant may be getting a boost from climate change. Increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and warming soil temperatures may be supercharging this itchy nuisance.
A 2006 study from Duke University found that when poison ivy plants were exposed to levels of C02 comparable to levels scientists anticipate seeing in 2050, the leaves on some plants grew by as much as 60%. The increased C02 also caused the urushiol, the oil that causes the allergic reaction in humans, to grow stronger. Preliminary results from a new study looking at rising soil temperatures show that a 5ºC increase in soil temperature makes poison ivy grow 149% faster on average than ambient soil temperatures. Pass the calamine lotion!
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