Vegetation in Antarctica grows tenfold in 40 years, study finds

A new study shows that vegetation in Antarctica has increased more than tenfold over the past 40 years. From 1986 to 2021, plant life on the Antarctic Peninsula grew from 0.39 square miles to nearly 4.6 square miles. The study, published in Nature Geoscience, found that between 2016 and 2021, vegetation expanded by over 30%, adding nearly 100 acres per year. This growth is linked to extreme heat events and climate change affecting the region. Researchers warn that as the climate warms, the greening of Antarctica may continue. Increased plant life could lead to soil formation, raising the risk of non-native species arriving on the continent.