Antarctica is experiencing a “dramatic” increase in greenery, with a more than 30% acceleration in this trend over recent years compared to the last three decades, according to a new study. Researchers discovered that vegetation cover on the Antarctic Peninsula has grown more than tenfold—from less than one square kilometer in 1986 to nearly 12 square kilometers by 2021.
A team, including scientists from the University of Exeter in the UK, analyzed satellite data to assess the rate of this “greening” in response to climate change. They noted that the accelerated change in vegetation cover from 2016 to 2021 coincided with a significant decrease in sea ice extent in Antarctica during that period.
The study provides evidence of a widespread and accelerating greening trend across the Antarctic Peninsula. Researchers have noted that Antarctica is warming faster than the global average, with extreme heat events becoming increasingly common.
Thomas Roland, the corresponding author from the University of Exeter, explained that the plants found on the Antarctic Peninsula—primarily mosses—thrive in some of the harshest conditions on Earth. While only a small portion of the landscape is currently inhabited by plant life, this area has expanded significantly, indicating that even this remote and isolated region is being impacted by human-induced climate change.
Oliver Bartlett, another corresponding author from the University of Hertfordshire, warned that as the climate continues to warm and these plant ecosystems establish themselves further, the greening trend is likely to intensify. He noted that although Antarctic soil is mostly poor or non-existent, the growth of plant life will contribute organic matter and facilitate soil formation, potentially allowing for the emergence of other plant species.
The researchers call for further studies to investigate the processes driving this greening trend, expressing serious concerns about Antarctica’s future. Roland emphasized the sensitivity of the Antarctic Peninsula’s vegetation to climate change, warning that ongoing human-induced warming could lead to significant changes in the biology and landscape of this iconic and vulnerable region. He underscored the importance of understanding these changes and identifying their causes to protect Antarctica effectively.
