ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Environment → Climate

Global warming turns tundra to forests

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
June 4, 2012
in Climate, World Problems
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

RelatedPosts

Sea level rise is accelerating, could lead to twice as much sea level rise by 2100 than previously expected
Global warming will lead to less snow fall in the world
Bad news for Antarctica, as climate change continues to kick in
Bigger and meaner hurricane surges expected in the future due to climate change

Typically, in the tundras, tree growth is hindered by very low temperatures, and usually, in the tundra, vegetation comprises of dwarf shrubs, sedges and grasses, lichens, etc. However, according to a recent study, plants and shrubs which colonized the Arctic tundra are starting to turn into small trees, a process which will accelerate global warming even more, if it occurs on a larger scale.

Scientists from Finland and Oxford University investigated an area of 100,000 square km, from Siberia to Finland; they found that in 8-15 percent of the area willow and alder plants have grown to over 2 metres in the last 30-40 years, something which is truly unexpected. Why? Because this kind of growth should have taken place over two centuries, or even more.

“It’s a big surprise that these plants are reacting in this way,” said Marc Macias-Fauria of Oxford University and lead author of the report. “But what we’ve found is that the shrubs that are already there are transforming into trees in just a few decades.”

Warming in the Arctic areas takes place about two times faster than in the rest of the world; as reflective ice and snow melt, they expose water or soil, which are significantly darker in color, and as a result, suck up more of the Sun’s heat. The problem here is that the same thing occurs if the trees grow big enough to rise over the snowfall.


While this study analyzed only a small fraction of the entire Arctic area, there is no reason to believe things are differently in other regions.

Via Reuters

Tags: arctic warmingclimate changeglobal warmingtundra

ShareTweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

Climate

Scientists Create “Bait” to Lure Baby Corals Back to Dying Reefs

byMihai Andrei
3 days ago
Science

This Tree Survives Lightning Strikes—and Uses Them to Kill Its Rivals

byTudor Tarita
1 month ago
Environment

Trump-Appointed EPA Plans to Let Most Polluters Stop Reporting CO2 Emissions

byTibi Puiu
1 month ago
Climate

Japan’s Cherry Blossoms Are Blooming Earlier Than Ever. Guess Why

byMihai Andrei
2 months ago

Recent news

The Worm That Outsourced Locomotion to Its (Many) Butts

May 16, 2025

The unusual world of Roman Collegia — or how to start a company in Ancient Rome

May 16, 2025
Merton College, University of Oxford. Located in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK. Original public domain image from Wikimedia Commons

For over 500 years, Oxford graduates pledged to hate Henry Symeonis. So, who is he?

May 16, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.