Scientists have discovered plants similar to palm trees growing in the Antarctic region during the early Eocene era, when the area had a near-tropical climate.
They have shown the area, which is today typified by freezing temperatures, glaciers and icebergs, had almost three times the level of carbon dioxide as now, with warm weather and virtually no frost.
The research found winters were an “extremely mild” 10C, with warm summer temperatures up to 21C, and were “essentially frost-free despite polar darkness”.
The climate, totally alien to that of the Antarctic today, “supported the growth of highly diverse, near-tropical forests characterized by mesothermal to megathermal floral elements including palms and Bombacoideae.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/climatechange/9445825/Palm-trees-could-grow-in-Antarctic-if-climate-change-continues-scientists-say.html
This post was written by:
Debbie - who has written 872 posts on My Climate Change Garden.
I am not an experienced gardener - more of an enthusiastic amateur who learns by trial and error and who is keen to "manage" the effects of shifting weather patterns on my garden.
Writing this blog is my passion and it has evolved over 12 years to inspire engagement with climate change outside our back doors, in our personal gardens and green spaces.
My mission is to fertilise and expand this platform to grow a community of global gardeners communicating about the effects of climate change on our plants and exploring how each individual can make small changes in our lives to become more sustainable.
The future of our gardens and #OurPlanet is in our hands - please plant your own seeds for our collective sustainable future.
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Thu, Aug 2, 2012
Climate Change