Tundra Plant Responses to a Rapidly Warming Arctic

Explore the impacts of rapid Arctic warming on tundra plant communities in this informative lecture. Discover how vegetation changes, including increased plant growth and earlier leaf emergence, are altering carbon cycling and wildlife dynamics in the Arctic. Learn about the surprising shifts in tundra plant biodiversity and the extended below-ground growing season. Examine the implications of these changes for wildlife, local livelihoods, and global climate. Gain insights from Prof. Isla Myers-Smith's two decades of research on Arctic ecosystems, including collaborative work with Indigenous communities and international research teams. Understand the concept of 'Arctic greening' and its significance in the context of accelerating climate change. Delve into topics such as shrubification, willow growth, caribou migration, and ecosystem functions. Witness the use of timelapse cameras in capturing these changes and explore the phenomenon of active layer detachments in permafrost regions.