Antarctica's Vegetation Expands Tenfold Over 35 Years

Satellite data reveals a striking increase in plant growth on the Antarctic Peninsula, driven by climate change and warming temperatures.

A new study using 35 years of satellite data shows vegetation on the Antarctic Peninsula has expanded from 0.33 square miles in 1986 to 4.61 square miles in 2021.
The greening is primarily attributed to rising temperatures and melting ice, with the Antarctic Peninsula warming faster than most other regions on Earth.
Mosses and lichens, as pioneer species, are the first to colonize exposed land, laying the groundwork for future ecological changes.
Researchers are concerned about the potential for invasive species to outcompete native Antarctic plants as soil formation accelerates.
Future studies will focus on on-the-ground fieldwork to understand the composition and dynamics of emerging plant communities.