An Increase of Carbon Dioxide in the air is causing climate change to gradually affect the weather of Louisiana.

In recent years, Louisiana has seen a sporadic proportion of wet and dry periods. The change of climate has led to unpredictable weather and a 30% increase in annual rainfall.

The downfall to the weather is the negative impact it has on the plants in the environment. The Louisiana rainfall is either over hydrating or drying out the soil creating a lack of healthy greens.

Director of the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens, Jeff Kuehny, strives to create a welcoming attraction for locals. In doing so, he studies how plants are living and being affected by Louisiana weather.

“Plants need oxygen to live right. And so if it’s flooding, they’re not going to get oxygen and if they are flooded long enough, they’ll get root rot because they don’t have the oxygens to revive it,” Kuehny said.

The unpredictable weather patterns in Louisiana are creating significant challenges for agricultural producers, including Baton Rouge small-scale farmers like The Fullness Company.

Co-owner Allison Guidroz does the best she can to keep plants healthy in providing fresh produce to Baton Rouge residents.

“One of the biggest challenges growing in south Louisiana is the varying temperatures we get. Because we’re so hot and humid, it can lend itself to more pests and diseases,” Guidroz said.

Like Guidroz, many are stepping up to learn and take care of plants in the environment. To understand plant life in Louisiana, it’s important to do research on plant needs and its surroundings.

“Doing the research about the space that you have, the light conditions you have, if you have drainage problems,” Kuehny said.

For more information on Louisiana plant life, check out the LSU Botanic Gardens.