Amid growing fears over the future of plants facing the threat of global warming, scientists claim that species could be adapted to cope with changing weather conditions.

A five-year study being conducted by researchers at Edinburgh University aims to achieve a greater understanding of how climate change affects different plant species.

The £6 million project will explore ways in which plants could be developed to survive in the face of changing weather conditions, the BBC reports.

Dr Karen Halliday, of the university's School of Biological Sciences, told the broadcaster: "We hope to be able to influence the survival of crops, as well as their quality and biodiversity.

"Many crops are susceptible to temperature change. There will certainly be a strong incentive to produce crops that are more robust to temperature change and can withstand warmer temperatures."

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