Thu Sep 19 09:00:01 UTC 2024: ## Climate Change Threatens Japan’s Iconic Cherry Blossoms

**Fukuoka, Japan** – Japan’s beloved cherry blossoms, known as sakura, are facing a new threat: climate change. The iconic Somei Yoshino cherry trees, which bloom simultaneously across the country, are experiencing changes in their flowering patterns, making it harder to predict their arrival.

A new study published in the journal Plants, People, Planet, has shed light on this challenge. Researchers from Kyushu University and the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute have developed a model that uses gene activity to predict when the buds of Somei Yoshino cherry trees will awaken from dormancy.

The model, based on the activity of a specific gene called DAM4, reveals that the cherry trees require a minimum of 61 days with temperatures below 10.1°C for their buds to break dormancy. Using historical data, the study revealed a delay of 2.3 days per decade in the breaking of endodormancy since 1990.

“Without sufficient cool days over winter, endodormancy cannot break and Yoshino buds cannot flower,” explained lead author Atsuko Miyawaki-Kuwakado. “Therefore, it’s important to predict the impact of global warming, particularly in Japan’s southern region, so that we can try to develop strategies to mitigate it.”

This research could be a game-changer for forecasting cherry blossom season, which is a significant event in Japan, attracting tourists and locals alike. The study provides a more accurate way to predict the blooming period, allowing for better planning of events and festivals.

However, the study also highlights the potential for climate change to disrupt the iconic sakura blooms in the future. With rising temperatures, the necessary cold period for bud awakening may be shortened, impacting the beauty and timing of the cherry blossom season, particularly in southern regions like Kyushu.

The research team plans to refine the model further to predict how climate change will continue to affect the flowering of these beloved trees, ensuring Japan can continue to celebrate the beauty of the sakura for years to come.

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