Final answer:
Plants are affected by global warming and the greenhouse effect, which initially could increase growth but may also lead to diminished productivity as temperatures exceed optimal growth ranges, increasing respiration over photosynthesis. Climate change also brings droughts and shifts in habitable zones, complicating plant growth further. The balance between photosynthesis, respiration, and temperature is critical in determining plant responses to climate changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Plants are affected by an increase in thermal energy on Earth due to the greenhouse effect and global warming. As temperatures rise, this can lead to an increase in plant growth within certain temperature ranges. However, when temperatures exceed optimal levels for growth, plant processes such as photosynthesis and growth can diminish. This is because respiration, which can be thought of as 'eating food,' increases more rapidly than photosynthesis or 'making food,' leading to a decrease in the net energy available for plant growth.
Climate change also brings about various other stresses such as changes in precipitation patterns and increased frequency of droughts. These conditions can counteract the benefits of warmer temperatures and lead to decreased plant productivity. Additionally, an organism's habitable zone may shift, impacting ecosystems and agricultural outputs, potentially inducing economic instability.