London,
A new study revealed rapid “greening” of Antarctica, as vegetation on the Antarctic Peninsula has expanded more than tenfold since 1986, spurred by accelerating climate change.
Researchers, including those from the University of Exeter, found vegetation cover increased from less than one square kilometer to nearly 12 square kilometers by 2021.
This shift aligns with a significant reduction in sea ice over recent years, according to the study published in Nature Geoscience.
“The plants, mostly mosses, thrive in some of Earth’s harshest conditions,” said Thomas Roland, co-author from the University of Exeter, noting the drastic impact of warming temperatures on the ecosystem.
With the potential for further vegetation expansion, the study emphasizes how climate change is reshaping this iconic, vulnerable landscape.
