Scientists have discovered that certain plants possess sophisticated weather-forecasting abilities. This indicates that they may be better equipped to deal with climate change than was previously supposed, South China Morning Post reported yesterday.

The research was jointly conducted by Chinese and European scientists. Dominant grass species such as bog sedge in the high mountains of Tibet can predict the occurrence of an Indian monsoon. They make their predictions known by unfolding their leaves before the monsoon hits, according to the study.

Professor Luo Tianxiang, of the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, said: “They seem to have a sophisticated weather forecasting system. It's quite amazing."

Luo served as lead scientist on the research team, which recently published its paper in the journal Scientific Reports, according to South China Morning Post. 

The Indian monsoon is the world's largest and most sophisticated monsoon system. During the hottest months of the year, it blows from the Indian Ocean to northeastern regions, bringing with it a large amount of rain. But the dates of its arrival and its duration vary from year to year.

Luo's team analyzed observational records from five scientific stations on the Tibetan plateau from the last two decades.

Many plants fold their leaves during the cold, dry winter months as a means of self-protection. In the event of an exceptionally warm winter, they may unfold their leaves early.