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Using millions of data points from the Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite 2 (ICESat-2) and Landsat missions, Nasa scientists have found that tundra landscapes are becoming taller and greener.

The boreal forests, which span large parts of Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia, and Russia, are witnessing a northward migration of trees and shrubs into traditionally tundra regions. This phenomenon is expected to persist for at least the next 80 years.

Boreal forests, home to evergreens such as pine, spruce, and fir, generally grow between 50- and 60-degrees north latitude.

The tundra, with its permafrost and short growing season, has historically supported only shrubs, mosses, and grasses. However, the boundary between these two biomes is becoming increasingly blurred. High-latitude plant growth is moving northward, transforming previously sparse tundra into more densely vegetated areas.

This increased vegetation could potentially offset some CO2 emissions by absorbing more through photosynthesis. However, the darker vegetation may also absorb more sunlight, accelerating permafrost thawing and releasing CO2 and methane stored in the soil for millennia.

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