Arctic Invaded -- by Trees

The tundra is is a special habitat where tree growth is inhibited by low temperatures and a short growing season. In the Arctic, the tundra is dominated by permafrost, a layer of permanently frozen subsoil, so the only vegetation that grows under such conditions are grasses, mosses and lichens. Forests of spruce trees and shrubs neighbor these tundra areas, and the boundary where they meet is called the treeline. However, climate change has extended the summer warming season and promoted tree growth, causing the treeline to encroach on the tundra faster than researchers thought possible.

"The conventional thinking on treeline dynamics has been that advances are very slow because conditions are so harsh at these high latitudes and altitudes," said Ryan Danby of the University of Alberta. "But what our data indicates is that there was an upslope surge of trees in response to warmer temperatures. It's like it waited until conditions were right and then it decided to get up and run, not just walk."

The details of this study are published in the March issue of the Journal of Ecology. Danby plans to continue his research as a part of the International Polar Year research effort.

I wonder how Bush's gag order affects Danby's research and his funding, as well as his "official" conversations?

Cited story.

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