They appeared in the alpine regions of Switzerland and Italy.
Scientists have said that prickly pear cacti, which are usually found in hot arid areas such as the Grand Canyon, have started to spread in the Alps. This is evidence of climate change occurring on Earth, reports Science Alert.
They are already widespread in the alpine regions of Switzerland and Italy. Jan Triponez, a biologist who works for the nature conservation service of the canton of Valais, said that “in some parts of the Valais, we estimate that cacti may occupy one third of the available surface”.
Also read: We are flirting with climate change a catastrophe – UN Secretary General
From Martigny to Brigue, these cactus originaries from the USA colonize the Rhône plain à la faveur du changement climatique. Biologists are concerned about their impact on ecosystems. 🌵
Reportage en Valais dans le @19h30RTS @RTSinfo pic.twitter.com/U3ol7xbC3l
– Romain Boisset (@RomainBoisset) December 23, 2022
According to botanist Peter Oliver, cacti prefer hot climates, but can withstand temperatures down to -15 degrees Celsius. But what they don't like is wet weather. That is, the reduction of snow cover in the Alps creates a favorable environment for them.
And the snow cover in this region is rapidly decreasing. It is currently present about a month less than the historical average, which is “unprecedented in the last six centuries”.
Increasing temperatures in recent years are changing normal life on the Swiss slopes. Among other things, this leads to the fact that the slopes remain snow-free during the height of the ski season.
In the summer of 2022, as a result of melting glaciers in the Swiss Alps, two sets of human remains were discovered, as well as the debris of the 1968 plane crash, stored under the snow and ice.
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