"We are receiving multiple evidences that a major change is occurring in Antarctica," said one researcher behind new study.
Authors of a new study published Tuesday warn accelerated growth of Antarctica's two native plant species reveals that the climate crisis is dramatically changing the continent's fragile ecosystem in ways that could have major implications for biodiversity.
Researchers at two universities in Italy and the British Antarctic Survey found that Antarctic hair grass and Antarctic pearlwort have spread between five and 10 times faster in the past decade than they did in the first five decades scientists were studying them.
The researchers examined the plants on Signy Island in the South Orkney Islands and found that as summer temperatures have risen in Antarctica since 2009 and 2018, hair grass has grown five times faster than it did between 1960 and 2009.
Flourishing Plants in Antarctica Seen as Possible 'Climate Tipping Point'
Authors of a new study published Tuesday warn accelerated growth of Antarctica's two native plant species reveals that the climate crisis is dramatically changing the continent's fragile ecosystem in ways that could have major implications for biodiversity.
Researchers at two universities in Italy and the British Antarctic Survey found that Antarctic hair grass and Antarctic pearlwort have spread between five and 10 times faster in the past decade than they did in the first five decades scientists were studying them.
The researchers examined the plants on Signy Island in the South Orkney Islands and found that as summer temperatures have risen in Antarctica since 2009 and 2018, hair grass has grown five times faster than it did between 1960 and 2009.
Flourishing Plants in Antarctica Seen as Possible 'Climate Tipping Point'