12. A Feedback Loop of Warming
The expansion of plant life in Antarctica is not simply a result of warming—it’s also a cause. As more moss and algae cover the landscape, they absorb additional heat, accelerating ice melt and raising local temperatures. This, in turn, creates new opportunities for even more vegetation to take hold. This self-reinforcing cycle, known as a climate feedback loop, is well documented in polar regions and poses significant challenges for scientists trying to predict future change.