Spring activities for plants, insects, and birds are experiencing fluctuations in behavior much like a roller coaster ride. Climate warming is causing changes in the environment, but it does not make every year the same. While spring may be earlier and milder on average, there can still be storms and snow. This variability presents challenges for both plants and animals. When conditions are warm and snow-free, plants need to sprout early, insects need to take flight, and birds need to lay their eggs. However, in colder winter years, these activities become more difficult and costly.
Researchers have been monitoring the spring activities of plants, arthropods, and birds in Northeast Greenland for the past 25 years. The study region includes the North Arctic region, Svalbard, Arctic Ocean islands, and the northernmost coasts of Siberia and Canada. The research has shown that while there is an overall warming trend, the timing of spring events like flowering, insect awakening, and egg-laying varies significantly from year to year.
Around 20 species or groups of organisms were monitored in the study, including Lapland’s anemones, tundra willows, ticks