5. An Unnatural Ecosystem Shift
The sudden appearance of forests of moss and algae in Antarctica marks an unnatural transformation in its ecosystem. Unlike the slow, evolutionary changes of the past, this rapid greening mirrors what scientists call “Arctic greening,” which has already triggered widespread ecological disruptions in the north. In Antarctica, such shifts could destabilize established food webs, alter nutrient cycles, and invite invasive species, causing a cascade of changes that threaten the balance of one of Earth’s last great wildernesses.