{"id":42545,"date":"2024-10-10T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-10T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/c9eeee61-604c-4c6d-ae65-1dbc3b7f51fa"},"modified":"2024-10-10T20:27:30","modified_gmt":"2024-10-10T18:27:30","slug":"forest-plants-are-being-driven-westwards-through-europe-at-3-56-kilometres-a-year-by-an-ethereal-force","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/rss_feed\/forest-plants-are-being-driven-westwards-through-europe-at-3-56-kilometres-a-year-by-an-ethereal-force\/","title":{"rendered":"Forest plants are being driven westwards through Europe at 3.56 kilometres a year \u2013 by an ethereal force"},"content":{"rendered":"

A new study has revealed the surprising driving force behind the rapid migration of forest plants through Europe. <\/p>

By Daniel Graham\n <\/p>

Published: Thursday, 10 October 2024 at 18:00 PM<\/p>

\n\n

A groundbreaking study has uncovered a surprising driver behind the movement of European forest plants: nitrogen pollution from atmospheric deposition. <\/strong><\/p>

Contrary to the widespread belief that climate change alone is pushing species northward in search of cooler habitats, researchers have found that many plants are shifting westward at a much faster rate due to excess nitrogen.<\/p>

Some plants, such as common wood sorrel, are migrating westwards at speeds of around 5km per year\/Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Weirdest plants in the world<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
High levels of nitrogen, particularly from pollution, allow nitrogen-loving species to spread quickly, often displacing more specialised plants in areas of heavy deposition. These westward shifts \u2013 which have an average velocity of 3.56 kilometres per year \u2013 are occurring at 2.6 times the rate of northward movement, reshaping the composition of some of Europe\u2019s most iconic forests.<\/p>
The study<\/a>, which analysed 266 forest plant species over several decades, reveals that almost 40% of these species are moving west, with only 15% shifting north. <\/p>
Among the ecosystems studied are some of Europe\u2019s legendary forests, such as the Bia\u0142owie\u017ca Forest in Poland. The findings are crucial for policymakers and conservationists, who must now consider the far-reaching impact of nitrogen pollution when developing strategies to protect biodiversity and ecosystem health, says the study.<\/p>
The trend observed in the study highlights the complex interactions between multiple environmental pressures, including nitrogen pollution and climate change, that are altering biodiversity patterns across Europe.<\/p>
Bia\u0142owie\u017ca Forest, Poland\/Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The study Unexpected westward range shifts in European forest plants links to nitrogen deposition<\/a><\/em> was published in the journal Science<\/em>.<\/p>
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