animals and plants seriously threatened by the heat wave in France

According to Serge Zaka. For example, agroclimatologist, the extreme temperatures expected in the coming days bring a considerable risk to fauna and flora. However,

The heat wave that has been intensifying since Friday August 8 in the southern part of France is “A patient” For animals. Nevertheless, plants, said animals plants seriously threatened heat Serge Zaka on Franceinfo on Monday. Moreover, While twelve departments are placed in red vigilance “heat wave” By Météo France this Monday. Nevertheless. Tuesday, the agroclimatologist recalls that “Most of the plants and animals that we have in the southwest of France do not resist above 42-43 ° C. Furthermore, We are no longer on tolerance thresholds, but on stress thresholds”he underlines.

Franceinfo: Sunday. on social networks, you wrote: “He made nearly 43 ° C today, in France, it is no longer meteorology, it is hell”. Why don’t animals resist such heat?

Serge animals plants seriously threatened heat new Zaka. Agroclimatologist : “If I take the example of the tomato in our vegetable gardens. in our market gardeners, it will ideally push up to around 32-33 ° C, it is its maximum growth speed. Then, the speed will decrease because it is too hot up to 40 ° C. Between 40-41 ° C. there can be animals plants seriously threatened heat a margin of tolerance. that is to say that there will be no burn on the leaves for example. tolerance.

“We observe a loss of fruit, a loss of flowers and a burn on the leaves.”

Serge Zaka, Agroclimatologist

in franceinfo

It will affect all crops, all plants, with what consequences?

“So. at these temperatures. it is all the plants (which are concerned), except pistachio, olive, sorghum for example, which could get out of it, but which are not native of animals plants seriously threatened heat new the region. So, we will not necessarily have plants that will get better than others. It is most of the agricultural sectors that will be touched. Establishing.

“A thermometer that rises to 35-40 ° C, it’s normal, it’s summer, we have already known that”. We heard these words around us. You answer that “no, it’s not normal” …

“The average temperature of animals plants seriously threatened heat the last thirty years to August 11. for example, for example 28 ° C on the side of Bordeaux. There, this Monday afternoon, we reach temperatures which should reach 42 ° C in this city. It is 14 ° C above the average. In some places in France, we should record up to 17 ° C above the average. And if we just keep mathematical statistics to talk about” standards “. so we should be around Display of -3 ° C to +2 animals plants seriously threatened heat new ° C. Finally, if these temperatures, why would our plants burn? “

But it is the 51ᵉ heat wave in France since 1947, one of the most intense. By dint of saying that it is an exceptional episode, is that no more exceptional in the end?

“Indeed, we have a multiplication by four of the number of heat waves since the 2000s. This is why we are animals plants seriously threatened heat no longer talking about a risk of heat wave. in France. we talk about seasonal season since we can have one. two, or even three now during the summer, while before, it was one year in four. And these temperatures that we have currently will no longer be exceptional in 30 years. since summers will be even more hot. Not spectacularly evolving.

Need advice against heat? The Tigure Towling Info Service “number to protect. protect those animals plants seriously threatened heat new around you” is available on 0 800 06 66 66 (free call between 9 am and 7 pm). These tips are also available on the ministry’s website.