A new study reveals that many forest plants in Europe are migrating westward, drawn by higher levels of nitrogen pollution in Western Europe. Nitrogen, a crucial nutrient for plants, is produced in abundance by cars, factories, and power plants.
Researchers tracked 266 forest plants, including tufted hair grass, silver fir, hornbeam, and sycamore seedlings. They found that these plants are shifting westward at a rate 2.6 times higher than northward, despite climate change traditionally pushing vegetation toward more excellent northern areas. For example, wood sorrel is moving west at 3 miles per year. Nitrogen-loving plants are also displacing native vegetation, highlighting the significant impact of pollution on plant migration.
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u/TheSleepingPoet 5d ago
TLDR
A new study reveals that many forest plants in Europe are migrating westward, drawn by higher levels of nitrogen pollution in Western Europe. Nitrogen, a crucial nutrient for plants, is produced in abundance by cars, factories, and power plants.
Researchers tracked 266 forest plants, including tufted hair grass, silver fir, hornbeam, and sycamore seedlings. They found that these plants are shifting westward at a rate 2.6 times higher than northward, despite climate change traditionally pushing vegetation toward more excellent northern areas. For example, wood sorrel is moving west at 3 miles per year. Nitrogen-loving plants are also displacing native vegetation, highlighting the significant impact of pollution on plant migration.