Plant Genomic Adaptations to Climate Change

Abstract

Climate change has emerged as one of the most critical environmental challenges impacting global agriculture and biodiversity. Rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and increasing soil salinity are altering plant distribution, physiology, and productivity. Plants, being sessile organisms, rely heavily on genomic plasticity to adapt to such stressors. This paper examines how genomic adaptations—ranging from single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to large-scale structural variations—enable plants to tolerate abiotic stress caused by climate change. By integrating studies on comparative genomics, transcriptomics, and genome-wide association analyses (GWAS), the research identifies key adaptive traits and genetic mechanisms that enhance resilience in major crops and wild plant species. The findings emphasize the potential of genomic-assisted breeding and gene editing to develop climate-resilient crops for sustainable agriculture.