posted Nov 5, 2015, 8:27 AM by Bowie-Crofton Gardener
Dr. Sara Via, PhD is Professor of Biology and Entomology at UMD, College Park. She is interested in the effects of climate change on agriculture and home gardening, biodiversity, and human health. In association with the Maryland Master Gardeners and Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility, Sara works with community groups, high schools and universities to increase awareness of the scientific reality of climate change and to motivate effective action to curb its rapid progression. |
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Successful and
sustainable gardening in a changing climate"
Dr. Sara Via, Department of Biology and Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park
Climate change is our new reality. Increasing temperatures have led to warmer winters, with significant impacts on both plants and animals. Spring now comes earlier, inducing changes in the timing of critical life stages in native plants and the species with which they interact.
To the detriment of most plants, warmer winters have increased overwintering survival in many herbivores as well as in invasive plant species. Increased winter temperatures have also led to range expansion in several key pests of important forest trees. These diverse effects of climate change will continue to affect gardens. On a practical level, adopting climate-friendly gardening strategies will improve success in a time of climate change.
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