The scorching heat in Phoenix, combined with a lack of seasonal monsoons, has resulted in some cacti succumbing to the extreme weather conditions.
The situation has become so severe that some cactuses appear seemingly normal or slightly squishy, only to collapse later, revealing they have been rotting from the inside out, a consequence of the heat-related stress.
With the prolonged heatwave showing no signs of letting up, there are growing fears that the unique cactus population in the region could be at risk.
In addition to the environmental impact, the loss of cacti could disrupt the ecosystem and potentially affect other plant and animal species that rely on them for shelter and sustenance, experts fear.
City's record breaking heat is so hot, it is causing cactuses to rot from inside (Desert Botanical Garden/Instagram)For years, the Desert Botanical Garden has taken inventory of its saguaro cactuses and assessed their condition every February. . The current heatwave is pushing some cactuses over the edge, leading them to lose limbs and even collapse entirely.
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Wednesday night marked the end of a staggering 16-day streak of temperatures exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit in Phoenix. Unfortunately, the city is bracing itself for more extreme weather, with forecasts indicating temperatures exceeding 110 degrees on Thursday, making it the 28th consecutive day of such searing heat.
A billboard displays a temperature of 118 degrees Fahrenheit during a record heat wave in Phoenix, Arizona (AFP via Getty Images)Cacti carry out vital functions during the night, where they open their stomata (pores) and engage in gas exchange, absorbing carbon dioxide required for photosynthesis during the day. However, due to the record-high heat experienced during the nights in Phoenix, this natural process is disrupted, suffocating and stressing the saguaros.
Consequently, this dehydration renders them more vulnerable to infections and insect infestations. The situation has raised concern among botanical experts and conservationists.
Authorities are urging residents to take necessary precautions during this heatwave, emphasizing the importance of staying hydrated, limiting outdoor activities, and checking on vulnerable individuals, especially the elderly and young children.
The heat is impacting animals, as well. Police in the city of Burbank, California, found a bear cooling off in a Jacuzzi behind a home on Friday. Police released a video of the animal in a neighborhood about 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of Los Angeles near the Verdugo Mountains and warned residents to lock up food and garbage.
Scientists calculate that July will prove to be the hottest globally on record and perhaps the warmest human civilization has seen. The extreme heat is now hitting the eastern part of the US, as soaring temperatures moved from the Midwest into the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, where some places are seeing their warmest days so far this year.
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