Scientists from the University of Leeds have unveiled dramatic changes unfolding across Greenland's vast icy expanse. Over the last 30 years, Greenland has witnessed an astonishing reduction in its ice sheet and glaciers, with an area equivalent to the size of Albania (About 11,000 square miles or 28,707 square kilometres)succumbing to melt. This accounts for about 1.6% of its total ice cover, marking a significant shift in its icy landscape.
Greenland is getting greener - (Image Credit: Shchekoldin Mikhail)
The retreat of ice is not just leaving barren rock in its wake; it's paving the way for new life in the form of wetlands, shrub areas, and vegetation. This phenomenon is detailed in their study, "Land cover changes across Greenland dominated by a doubling of vegetation in three decades," published in the journal Scientific Reports.
A Warmer Greenland
Greenland, the largest island in the world, is predominantly covered in ice and glaciers and is home to nearly 57,000 people. Since the 1970s, it has been warming at twice the global average rate, with recent years seeing temperatures that are 3°C warmer than the average between 1979 and 2000. This warming trend is expected to bring about even more extreme temperatures in the future.
A research team, led by Jonathan Carrivick of the Faculty of Environment at Leeds, utilized high-resolution satellite images to map these changes. They discovered that the loss of ice is concentrated around the edges of glaciers and is particularly pronounced in the north and southwest regions of Greenland.
Interesting article: Glaciers in Greenland are starting to produce more noise (Universal-Sci)
Vegetation on the Rise
With the retreat of ice, the landscape of Greenland is undergoing a remarkable transformation. The study found that vegetation cover has more than doubled over the past three decades, with significant increases in dense wetland vegetation in areas like Kangerlussuaq in the southwest. This greening of Greenland is a direct consequence of the warming climate and the resultant ice melt.
This new vegetation not only alters the appearance of Greenland but also its ecological dynamics. The melting ice releases water, moving sediment and silt, eventually giving rise to new wetlands and fenlands. Such changes have profound implications for the local ecosystem and the indigenous communities that depend on it.
Comparing Greenland's Landscape: From the late 1980s to the late 2010s, a detailed 30-meter resolution analysis reveals a significant increase in green areas, especially in the southwest and northeast, showcasing nature's expansion over ice (Credit: University of Leeds via Eurekalert)
The Ripple Effects of Ice Loss
The retreat of ice impacts the planet in several ways. Firstly, it affects the albedo effect, where previously reflective ice surfaces that helped cool the Earth are replaced with darker surfaces that absorb more solar energy, thereby warming the land. Additionally, the expansion of water bodies from melting ice absorbs more solar energy than snow, further increasing land surface temperatures.
Another significant concern highlighted in the study is the near quadrupling of wetlands across Greenland. These areas are significant methane emitters, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and potentially accelerating global warming.
Looking Ahead
The researchers also developed a predictive model to identify areas on Greenland likely to undergo accelerated changes in the future. Such insights are crucial for understanding the broader implications of Greenland's transformation, not only for its delicate ecosystems and indigenous populations but also for global sea level rise.
As Greenland continues to 'green,' the global community faces the challenge of addressing these changes, which represent a microcosm of the broader impacts of climate change. The study underscores the urgent need for global efforts to mitigate these effects and adapt to an increasingly warming world.
If you are interested in reading more about the research, be sure to check out the paper published in the Journal Scientific Reports listed below.
Sources and further reading:
Glaciers in Greenland are starting to produce more noise (Universal-Sci)
Why was the Sahara desert green in the past? (Universal-Sci)
Land cover changes across Greenland dominated by a doubling of vegetation in three decades - Journal Scientific Reports
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