Nature reports that the area of vegetation in Antarctica has increased more than tenfold over the past few decades. These conclusions were drawn by an international group of scientists who assessed the impact of global warming on the region.
Specialists analyzed satellite images of the Antarctic Peninsula taken between 1986 and 2021. The images captured the end of the growing season for vegetation, which occurs in March in Antarctica. The studies showed that in 35 years, the area covered by plants increased almost 14 times. By 2021, it reached almost 12 square kilometers. According to scientists, the spread of plants accelerated after 2016.
This trend could lead to large-scale changes in Antarctic ecosystems. Scientists are concerned that most of the vegetation in the studied region is represented by moss. Its spread to previously ice-covered landscapes can increase the number of alien invasive species. And since the flora of Antarctica is adapted to extreme conditions, it may simply not be able to cope with the influx of new species.
The report emphasizes that Antarctica is warming faster than other regions on average. Since 1950, the temperature here has risen by almost 3 degrees. At present, the Antarctic landscape is almost completely dominated by snow, ice, and rocks, and plants occupy only a tiny part of it. However, in the future, the spread of greenery could lead to fundamental changes in the landscape of this vulnerable region.
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