A new study by experts at the University of Leeds in the UK highlights a little-discussed aspect of climate change and its impact on trees.
According to data obtained by the survey, global warming negatively affects plant growth, which are “moving” to higher places, usually in mountains.
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The information evaluates the natural proliferation tendencies of the vegetation generally to higher points in mountains in order to avoid the high temperatures of changes in the climate. Keep reading to understand better!
Main points behind the change in vegetation
In the mountainous landscape, the tree line defines the maximum height for tree growth. In this sense, an innovative algorithm, based on satellite images, tracked almost 1 million km of lines in 243 mountain ranges to estimate the advance of vegetation.
Factors such as temperature, precipitation and humidity influence the position of the line, all of which are vulnerable to climate change.
Between 2000 and 2010, 70% of the monitored lines moved 12 meters upwards, indicating a change in the local climate. In the tropics, displacement was more intense, averaging 3.1 meters per year, according to a British study.
Such movements along the lines of treeshighlight the sensitivity of these ecosystems and the urgency of dealing with the impacts of global warming on mountains.
It was inferred that, as the vegetation is renewed, the lower sites are being neglected, quite possibly because of the drier and hotter climate of the lower lands.
(Image: publicity)
More details on “moving” in the treeline
The leader of this research, Xinyue He, warns of the vulnerability of plants and animals that live in high altitudes. As the lines rise, competition for space and nutrients increases, threatening endemic species.
“Plant and animal species present at high altitudes are sensitive to environmental changes. The displacement of tree lines can lead to competition for resources, compromising the survival of local species”, warns He.
The study, titled “Global Distribution and Climate Controls of Natural Mountain Treelines,” published in the scientific journal Global Change Biology, contributes new evidence of the effects of global warming global.
It highlights the need for concrete actions to address these changes and their effects on mountain ecosystems, such as the tree line.
These findings reinforce the importance of initiatives that preserve biodiversity and ensure the resilience of these unique ecosystems.