Running Up That Hill?

A Southern University of Science and Technology (Shenzhen, China) study, used remote sensing to map the highest points, reached by tree coverage patches on global mountain slopes. The study examined data, collected between 2000 and 2010. It confirmed that mountain 'tree lines' had moved upwards in 70% of locations. Predictably, the greatest movement was in Tropical regions (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/19/mountain-treelines-rising-climate-crisis-study). This Shenzhen study found that, over this time, the 'tree line' was moving uphill at an average rate of 1.2 metres per year. The speed of this upward climb appeared to be accelerating. This response, by mountain vegetation, appears clearly linked to climate change. It would be interesting to know what's happened since 2010? If anything, the impacts of climate change have been getting more intense. Moving the 'tree line' and its associated animals and plants up the mountain side is all very well. There comes a point, however, where there's nowhere else to go!