How drought is affecting plants and pollinators: expert analysis Abby Munson Tue, 09/15/2026 - 15:51 What happens to the relationship between plants and pollinators during a drought?All plants need water, and the lack of water affects plants in a range of ways that are critical for their flowers. Drought stressed plants redirect growth to their roots, to find more water, and may close their stomatal pores – this prevents any further water loss but also limits access to the carbon dioxide needed for photosynthesis. As a result of these two changes, drought stressed plants often make fewer flowers. The flowers that are produced can also look and smell different when plants are droughted. Evide...