Grass is spreading in the Antarctic, scientists warn
Scientists have observed an increase in grass populations across the Antarctic as rising temperatures cause ice to retreat. This shift in vegetation is raising concerns about the potential for wildfires in regions previously considered too cold and wet to burn.
Why it matters
The emergence of wildfire risks in the Antarctic highlights the accelerating and unpredictable impacts of climate change on polar ecosystems.
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Share A A A Grass is spreading across some regions of the Antarctic as ice retreats, threatening Southern Ocean islands with the prospect of wildfires in another sign of how human-caused climate change is warping the polar wilderness.
Australian scientists systematically reviewed a raft of existing datasets and papers, and found an overall increase in grass populations in the icy but fast-warming region. They presented the preliminary findings this week at the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) conference in Oslo.
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