Seasonal changes in fig tree physiology reveal adaptation to climate variability.
Fig trees change how they work throughout the year to adapt to different seasons. Researchers studied two types of fig trees in Tunisia for two years. They looked at how the trees use sunlight, water, and nutrients to grow. The best time for fig trees to make food is in the spring, when they have lots of sunlight and open stomata. In the summer, when it's hot, the trees slow down their food-making process. In the fall, they start to make more food again until winter comes and they stop growing. This study helps us understand how fig trees cope with changes in the environment and can help predict how they will respond to future challenges.