Desert plant self-cooling

Decoding Desert Plants: How Temperature Reveals Survival Secrets

Mira Elwood in Climate & Environment December 2025 • 3 min read.

"Uncover the ingenious self-cooling strategies of Artemisia ordosica and what they mean for thriving in extreme heat."

Plants, like all living things, are deeply affected by temperature. Plant temperature (Tp) isn't just a passive reading; it's a dynamic indicator of health and resilience. It reflects the intricate interplay between a plant's internal processes and its surrounding environment. Imagine Tp as a vital sign, constantly adjusting to maintain equilibrium.

Understanding how plants regulate their temperature is particularly crucial in harsh environments like deserts. In these landscapes, survival hinges on a plant's ability to manage heat stress. One fascinating adaptation is self-cooling – the ability to lower its temperature relative to the surrounding air.

This article delves into the world of Artemisia ordosica, a resilient desert plant, and its remarkable temperature regulation strategies. By examining how its temperature (Tp) relates to air temperature (Ta) and other environmental and physiological factors, we can gain valuable insights into plant adaptation and survival.

How Does Plant Temperature Fluctuate in the Desert?

Researchers ventured into the Mu Us Desert of Northwest China to study Artemisia ordosica during the intense heat of July. They meticulously measured the plant's temperature (Tp) and tracked factors like air temperature (Ta), humidity, wind speed, leaf water potential, sap flow, and water content. The results revealed key patterns:

Plant temperature generally mirrors air temperature, but with important nuances:

Height Matters: Temperature varies across different heights of the plant.
Organ Sensitivity: Young branches maintain a steadier temperature, while leaves are more responsive to environmental changes.
Air Temperature Influence: Plant temperature is primarily influenced by the surrounding air temperature (Ta).

The study confirmed a significant difference between plant temperature (Tp) and air temperature (Ta), especially during midday. This is when Artemisia ordosica's self-cooling mechanisms kick into high gear, allowing it to maintain a cooler temperature than its surroundings.

The Power of Self-Cooling: What Does It Mean?

The study highlights that Artemisia ordosica employs several strategies to achieve self-cooling, which is important during periods of high air temperature. Transpiration (water movement through the plant) plays a role, as evidenced by increased sap flow and leaf water potential. Additionally, the plant's ability to increase water conductance and specific heat contributes to its cooling capacity.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135452, Alternate LINK

Title: How The Plant Temperature Links To The Air Temperature In The Desert Plant Artemisia Ordosica

Subject: Multidisciplinary

Journal: PLOS ONE

Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)

Authors: Ming-Han Yu, Guo-Dong Ding, Guang-Lei Gao, Bao-Ping Sun, Yuan-Yuan Zhao, Li Wan, De-Ying Wang, Zi-Yang Gui

Published: 2015-08-17

Everything You Need To Know

What is plant temperature, and why is it important?

Plant temperature (Tp) reflects a plant's health and its ability to manage its internal processes in response to environmental conditions. In deserts, where survival depends on managing heat stress, the study of Artemisia ordosica shows that understanding how Tp relates to air temperature (Ta) is essential for determining survival strategies and adaptations.

What is self-cooling, and what does it mean for the plant?

In the context of Artemisia ordosica, self-cooling is a critical adaptation that allows the plant to maintain a cooler temperature (Tp) than the surrounding air temperature (Ta), especially during the hottest parts of the day. This is achieved through mechanisms such as transpiration, increased sap flow, and enhanced water conductance. The implications of self-cooling are significant for the plant's survival in extreme heat, allowing it to continue vital functions without succumbing to heat stress.

How does plant temperature (Tp) change in relation to air temperature (Ta) in the desert?

The plant temperature (Tp) generally mirrors air temperature (Ta), but with important nuances. Height matters: Temperature varies across different heights of the plant. Young branches maintain a steadier temperature, while leaves are more responsive to environmental changes. The primary influence on plant temperature is the surrounding air temperature (Ta).

What factors did researchers measure in their study of Artemisia ordosica?

Researchers measured both plant temperature (Tp) and air temperature (Ta) along with other environmental factors such as humidity, wind speed, leaf water potential, sap flow, and water content. This comprehensive approach allowed them to establish a relationship between Tp and Ta, and identify self-cooling strategies in Artemisia ordosica. This is crucial for understanding how the plant survives in the harsh desert environment.

How does Artemisia ordosica achieve self-cooling?

Artemisia ordosica employs several strategies to achieve self-cooling, which is important during periods of high air temperature. Transpiration (water movement through the plant) plays a role, as evidenced by increased sap flow and leaf water potential. Additionally, the plant's ability to increase water conductance and specific heat contributes to its cooling capacity. These mechanisms enable Artemisia ordosica to maintain a cooler plant temperature (Tp) relative to the air temperature (Ta), facilitating its survival in the desert.