澳大利亚科学家发现，随着气候变暖导致冰川退缩，草类植物正在南极多个地区迅速扩张，可能带来极地野火的新风险[1]。研究团队通过分析多个数据集发现，南极半岛的植被覆盖范围从1986年的不足1平方公里增至2021年的12平方公里[1]，其中本地发毛草的增长速度快于入侵性蓝草[1]。2016年至2021年间，植被覆盖增长率进一步加快了30%[1]。
南极半岛是全球变暖最快的区域之一，该地区温度已上升3摄氏度[1]。2024年东南极曾出现异常升温事件，温度超出平均水平28摄氏度[1]。这一升温趋势为植物生长创造了条件，同时也增加了野火发生的可能性。阿姆斯特丹岛在2023年1月曾遭遇野火，其55%的面积被焚烧[1]，鸟岛也在2024年发生过野火[1]，这些事件凸显了南极地区日益增长的火灾风险。
Australian researchers have documented a significant expansion of grass species across multiple regions of Antarctica, a development they warn could increase the risk of polar wildfires as glaciers retreat.[1] The Antarctic Peninsula, one of the fastest-warming regions on Earth, has experienced a temperature increase of 3 degrees Celsius, with an extreme warming event in southeastern Antarctica during 2024 reaching 28 degrees Celsius above average levels.[1]
Analysis of multiple datasets reveals that overall grass populations have increased substantially in recent years.[1] Between 1986 and 2021, vegetation coverage on the Antarctic Peninsula expanded from less than 1 square kilometer to 12 square kilometers, with the rate of growth accelerating by 30 percent between 2016 and 2021.[1] Native hair grass is spreading faster than invasive blue grass species.[1]
The potential fire hazard has already materialized in recent years. In January 2023, wildfires consumed 55 percent of Amsterdam Island, a French Antarctic territory, and another fire occurred on Bird Island in 2024.[1] These incidents underscore the novel environmental challenges posed by rapid ecological transformation in the polar region as warming temperatures continue to reshape the Antarctic landscape.