A study from the University of Vienna, published in the journal Science, confirmed that plant species living at lower altitudes are now expanding to higher elevations, where previously only native plants typical of the region's climate existed. This phenomenon occurs due to global warming, which causes plant species to shift to colder areas of mountain peaks.
The study analyzed data over 20 years in European mountains and revealed that mountain tops are indeed getting greener, due to the increased number of plant species growing on them. Plants change their distribution areas to adapt to new climatic conditions, seeking the cooler temperatures of the peaks.
However, researchers warn that this apparent increase in biodiversity hides a concerning reality. Behind the expansion of flora to higher altitudes, there is a growing wave of local species extinctions that cannot keep up with climate changes.
