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Satellite Images Unveil Antarctica Is More Greener Than in the Past, Scientists Weren't Expecting These Results

According to the satellite data, the vegetation cover in Antarctica multiplied by around ten times in three decades.
PUBLISHED 7 DAYS AGO
Moss hummocks, Ardley Island, Antarctica (Cover Image Source: Nature Geoscience)
Moss hummocks, Ardley Island, Antarctica (Cover Image Source: Nature Geoscience)

Recently, scientists collected 35 years' worth of satellite data and noticed a surprising pattern in Antarctica. The data clearly showed that Antarctica was slowly but steadily becoming greener. Researchers published their findings in Nature Geoscience.

The spacecraft used in this project was Landsats, a series of satellites sent by NASA to monitor Earth and capture its images. To this date, nine Landsats have been sent by NASA to space. The study uses data collected by Landsat 5 through Landsat 8.

Antarctica in a Globe
(Representative Image Source: Pexels | Photo by Lara Jameson)
Antarctica in a Globe (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Photo by Lara Jameson)

Before this finding, Thomas Roland, an environmental scientist from the University of Exeter, and his team collected carbon-dated core samples found on the moss banks of Antarctica's western side and analyzed them, Science Alert reported.

Examination of these samples revealed that the accumulation of moss accelerated in the past five decades, because of a boost in biological activity. To understand the reason behind this, the present study of satellite images was pursued by the same team.

Researchers in the study focussed on observing the spread of vegetation in Antarctica over the last 35 years. They did so by "quantifying rates of change in the spatial extent and 'direction' (greening versus browning)," as per the study. Experts noted a steady increase in green pastures. The study believes this is a direct impact of climate change.

According to the satellite data, the cover of vegetation in Antarctica multiplied by around ten times in three decades. In 1986, green pastures amounted to 0.86 sq. km. (0.33 sq. mi.) area which increased to 11.95 sq. km (4.61 sq. mi.) in 2021. The change mainly occurred in the warmer edges of the peninsula and was possibly driven by carbon emissions. The newly grown vegetation in Antarctica consists of mosses and lichens. Mosses mainly dominated the carpets and banks of the region.

Moss bank on bare rock, Norsel Point, Antarctica (Image Source: Nature Geoscience)
Moss bank on bare rock, Norsel Point, Antarctica (Image Source: Nature Geoscience)

Researchers were surprised to see the scale of change in Antarctica. "Based on the core samples, we expected to see some greening," Roland said, "but I don't think we were expecting it on the scale that we reported here." The rate with which green pastures had increased in the last few years was 'striking' for his team. 

The study strongly thinks global warming was a huge factor behind this change. Western Antarctica has been known to be one of the regions that is heating up faster in comparison to other parts of the world. This has caused phenomena like the receding of glaciers, changing wind patterns, and shrinkage of ice in the area. All of this bolsters mosses and lichens to spread out and cover the empty space. 

Considering that 'greenery' is where Antarctica is heading, researchers are trying to understand what the future of this continent looks like. "The narrative in these places has been dominated by glacial retreat," Roland said. "We're starting to think about what comes next, after ice recession."

As per experts, if vegetation like moss continues to increase at its pace, there will be soil in spots, where previously there was none. This will possibly impact the inherent biodiversity of the region.



 

The vegetation combined with tourism and human activity could introduce new species to the continent, Science Alert reported. There are scenarios in which these new species could outright replace the native species. There could be new flora and fauna communities, which could furthermore alter the environment of the coldest place on Earth.

To understand the consequences of this change in detail it is essential that more field work is done, which researchers associated with the study are aiming to do. "We're at the point that we've said the best we can say with the Landsat archives," Roland said. "We need to go to these places where we're seeing the most distinctive changes and see what's happening on the ground."

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