In a recent study performed at the University of Alberta, signs of increased plant activity were found in a variety of arctic lakes. In the study, six lakes were tested for chlorophyll-a content deep down in the sediment. Chlorophyll-a is a byproduct of the process of photosynthesis and thus, an indicator of plant activity in these regions.

The amount of chlorophyll-a in the six lakes studied is significantly higher—2 to 5 times higher – than the amount of chlorophyll-a measured in the lakes about 150 years ago. The findings suggests that not only are the gradually warming temperatures causing increased plant activity, but that the rise in temperature has caused a significant change within the last 150 years.

Neal Michelutti, one of the University’s researchers, confirmed that “the timing of these changes corresponds to the start of the Industrial Revolution and when humans first started having a major impact on global atmospheric chemistry”.

Many climate studies like this one have been performed in the arctic region. However, this study is the first of its kind to determine the effect that global warming will have on the plants in the arctic region.

In conjunction with other climate studies, these findings can begin to paint a clearer picture of how significant temperature changes might impact overall life in the arctic regions in the upcoming generations.

Discussion question: How will the increased plant activities change the environment or climate of the arctic region? What might this mean in terms of habitability for humans?

Links:
Article→http://www.livescience.com/environment/051024_arctic_lakes.html
Journal→http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/