A lush knee-high jungle grows in the Arctic, but warming is changing Earth’s mini-greenhouse
Summary
The Arctic tundra in Alaska, normally covered with very short plants due to cold and permafrost, is changing because the region is warming quickly. Plants are growing taller and greener, and shrubs that couldn’t survive before are moving in, which may cause the Arctic to heat up even faster.Key Facts
- The North Slope tundra in Alaska has very short plants, typically around 10 inches tall.
- Cold winters and frozen ground limit plant growth and keep plants small.
- The Arctic is warming about four times faster than the rest of the world, especially in winter.
- In the past 40 years, this part of Alaska has warmed by about 4.8°F (2.7°C).
- Plants in the Arctic are growing taller and greener as the climate warms.
- Taller shrubs are spreading, a process called shrubification.
- Darker shrubs absorb more sunlight than snow, increasing local warming.
- This change in plant life contributes to "Arctic amplification," making the region warm faster.
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