Arctic plants become higher because of climate change

Climate change is slowly affecting our entire planet, whether we are ready to admit it or not. Recently, researchers have observed that Arctic plants are becoming higher as a direct result of global warming.

"If taller plants continue to grow at the current rate, the height of the plant community could increase by 20 to 60% by the end of the century," said Anne Bjorkman, a researcher at the Center for Research on Biodiversity and Wildlife. weather in Senckenberg (BiK). F) in Germany.

Ecosystems will be affected

Although large plants do not seem to be a radical change, it is important to remember that ecosystems are interconnected and that the link between them is fragile. At the present time, scientists do not know how this change will affect the Arctic. However, it seems that taller plants are becoming more common: "We found that the height increase did not occur in a few places, it was almost everywhere in the tundra."

For example, taller plants could prevent snow from touching the ground, so the soil would not be insulated and could release more carbon. "Although there are still many uncertainties, larger tundra plants could fuel climate change, both in the Arctic and for the planet as a whole," added Bjorkman. .

Understand how this affects the environment

"Quantifying the link between environmental and plant characteristics is essential to understanding the consequences of climate change, but such research has rarely extended to the northern hemisphere, which is home to the tundra ecosystems of the world. colder on the planet, "added geoscientist Isla Myers-Smith of the University of Edinburgh. UK.

Researchers are currently trying to study this change and anticipate the effects ahead.

"This is the first time a biome-wide study has been conducted to identify the crucial role plants play in this rapidly warming part of the planet," Myers-Smith concluded.

Karen and her husband live on a parcel of land in British Columbia. They seek to grow and raise a large portion of their food by maintaining a vegetable garden, keeping a flock of chickens and grazing their fodder. They also plan to move into a small cabin that they have built by hand. Karen's academic experience in the field of nutrition has really interested her in real food and is looking for ways to get it. Anna's interest in backyard gardening, rearing, recycling and self-sufficiency for chickens and goats was born.