Study of the Physiological Behavior of Some Plants in Response to Climate Change Conditions

Abstract

In the context of addressing climate change, it becomes essential to anticipate how it will affect plant biodiversity and the way plants adapt physiologically and morphologically to challenging environmental circumstances. To gain a comprehensive understanding of how plants adapt to adverse climatic conditions, we conducted a year-long study with three distinct water stress levels: 25% (sample 1), 50% (sample 2), and 75% (sample 3). The findings revealed a general decrease in primary metabolites (including proteins, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, lipids, and essential minerals like Mg, Fe, K, and Mn) as the water stress level increased. In contrast, secondary metabolites (such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and coumarins) exhibited an increase with rising water stress, although a decline became evident as conditions worsened. The same trend was observed in essential oil yield. Furthermore, gas chromatography analysis of essential oils from the plants indicated significant alterations in their chemical composition due to the influence of stressful environmental conditions.