As the forthcoming total solar eclipse on April 8 approaches, attention shifts to how this celestial event might influence plant behavior, prompting curiosity among horticulturists and plant enthusiasts worldwide. The extent of these effects, however, is contingent upon one’s geographical position relative to the eclipse’s path of totality.
NASA suggests that numerous plant species could respond to fluctuating light levels during a total solar eclipse, given their reliance on sunlight for photosynthesis, the process through which they convert sunlight into chemical energy.
During a solar eclipse, wherein the moon passes between the sun and the earth, the sky may darken akin to dawn or dusk, potentially depriving plants of sunlight depending on their location within the path of totality. Additionally, NASA suggests the possibility of alterations in sap flow and the timing of flower blooming.
A 2019 study published in Scientific Reports investigated the response of sagebrush—a woody, aromatic shrub—to the total solar eclipse of August 2017. The research revealed that the obstruction of sunlight by the moon led to a drop in temperature and changes in vapor pressure deficit, both significant factors influencing photosynthesis and transpiration—the movement of water through plants.
These alterations disrupted the sagebrush’s circadian rhythm, slowing down the processes of photosynthesis and transpiration during reduced sunlight periods. Nevertheless, due to the brief duration of totality, lasting approximately two minutes, the plant did not undergo the same effects as it would during conventional dusk or predawn hours. Instead, the sudden reintroduction of sunlight post-eclipse triggered heightened activity in the sagebrush, akin to a “shock” response.
On April 8, NASA, alongside other interested parties, plans to gather data for its Eclipse Soundscapes Project, aiming to gain insights into how total solar eclipses impact diverse ecosystems.