Earlier Spring in Arctic Could Be Sign of Global Warming

Spring begins eight days earlier in the Arctic than it did a decade ago, according to satellite measurements of vegetation coverage. The measurements suggest that plant cover appears earlier in the year, grows lusher and sticks around longer in northern climes than it used to. The finding, reported in the April 17 Nature, confirms a phenomenon first reported last year and may be an indication of global warming.

Vegetation data from three weather satellites showed that in 1991, spring began in many northern regions about a week earlier than it had a decade before. The researchers also found that plants increased the vigor of their photosynthesis during the peak of the growing season by 10% over the period, and they stayed around about four days longer in the fall.