Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
New research shows that vegetation cover across the Antarctic Peninsula has increased over tenfold in the past 40 years, highlighting the impact of climate change in this region.
Credit : Dan Charman
The Antarctic Peninsula is warming faster than the global average, experiencing more frequent extreme heat events. This trend is contributing to the observed changes in vegetation.
Credit : Dan Charman
The study, conducted by the universities of Exeter and Hertfordshire, along with the British Antarctic Survey, utilized satellite data to monitor vegetation changes across the Peninsula.
Credit : Matt Amesbury
Satellite data indicated that vegetation cover expanded from less than one square kilometre in 1986 to nearly 12 square kilometres by 2021.
The greening trend has increased by over 30% in recent years (2016–2021), with an expansion of over 400,000 square meters per year during this period.
Previous studies, which examined core samples from moss-dominated ecosystems, revealed increased plant growth rates. The current study confirms a widespread greening trend across the region through satellite imagery.
Researchers warn that the increase in plant life could lead to soil formation, which may attract non-native and invasive species, potentially introduced by visitors such as eco-tourists and scientists.
The team emphasizes the need for further investigation into the climate and environmental mechanisms driving this greening trend. They express concerns about the future biological and ecological changes in the Antarctic Peninsula due to anthropogenic climate change.