In arctic regions, climate change has had an interesting side effect, as the previously frozen ground releases nitrogen and oxygen, reducing decomposition and causing a growth in plant life.

1. The Rise of
Arctic Plants
By Neil Burnard

2. Climate Change
Its impact can be felt
everywhere

3. An
interesting
side-effect:
It’s been creating more
vegetation in arctic regions
with the total amount of
decomposition steadily
reducing, which could
actually inhibit global
warming

4. REALLY?!?!
A recent study at Lund
University in Sweden looked
to examine this and found
that organisms like bacteria
and fungi are triggered to
break down particularly
nutritious parts of shrubbery

5. How?
• Much of the carbon and nitrogen on Earth is stored in arctic
ecosystems, in the perpetually frozen ground!
• When this ground warms up due to climate change, it
releases these and more shrubs start to grow instead of the
typical moss, which is hard to break down!
• Shrubs have leaves and roots that are easy to break down
and secrete sugar!
• The researchers found that decomposition organisms such
as bacteria and fungi are triggered to look for nutrient-rich
organic materials with more nitrogen, which reduces overall
decomposition

6. What does it mean?
• Most current climate change models don’t consider
the connection between increased shrub
vegetation from ongoing climate change and soil
becoming less nutritious!
• Completely throws a wrench in current climate
change models