In a latest research, scientists have developed models , which predict that the vegetation of the Arctic will experience over 50 percent increase in greenery in the coming few decades due to the rise in temperatures, phys.org reports.
The new findings reveal that the increased vegetation in the Arctic will see an alarming rate of growth in temperatures than previously thought. Scientists used the current trend of the rising temperatures in the Arctic to develop these models which show a much greener environment by 2050s, if the trend continues at the same rate, which is about twice that of global rate.
"Such widespread redistribution of Arctic vegetation would have impacts that reverberate through the global ecosystem," said Richard Pearson, lead author on the paper and a research scientist at the American Museum of Natural History's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation.
Several scientists from the Museum, AT&T Labs-Research, Woods Hole Research Center, Colgate University, Cornell University and the University of York, participated in the research to develop these models and also predicted the type of plants that are likely to grow under the Arctic temperature and climate. Although the models are based on statistical calculations, but so far, this has proved to be the most viable and robust way of exploring the Arctic. Unique weather conditions limit the variety of plants that can grow in this region, which simplified the process of developing the models in comparison to other regions, the report said.
"These impacts would extend far beyond the Arctic region," Pearson said. "For example, some species of birds seasonally migrate from lower latitudes and rely on finding particular polar habitats, such as open space for ground-nesting."
Researchers explained the possibility of the temperature increase when there is more greenery in the Arctic. Based on the reflectivity of Earth's surface, scientists explained what is called the "albedo effect," that causes rise in temperature when the Sun's radiations hit the surface of the earth, which is "dark," covered with trees and bushes. Scientists said that the Sun's radiation is not absorbed when it hits lands covered with snow, which keeps the temperature low.
"By incorporating observed relationships between plants and albedo, we show that vegetation distribution shifts will result in an overall positive feedback to climate that is likely to cause greater warming than has previously been predicted," said co-author Scott Goetz of the Woods Hole Research Center.
The research is published in the journal Nature Climate Change.
