# Satellite-observed greenness expansion across Antarctica

“Satellite-observed greenness expansion across Antarctica” (2026), by Min Chen et al. Environmental Science research paper. Original abstract below, unchanged. A free PDF is available.

- Authors: Min Chen, Hangkai You, Taejin Park, Christian Che‐Castaldo, Dalei Hao, Abhishek Chatterjee, Fa Li, Zhuosen Wang, Fujiang Ji, Bilgecan Şen et al.
- Published: November 9, 2026
- Field: Environmental Science
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-11568957/v1
- Free PDF: https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-11568957/latest.pdf

## Abstract

Polar ecosystems are reshaping rapidly in the 21st century, yet Antarctica's continent-wide terrestrial vegetation response remains unclear. Here, using 22 years (2002-2023) of daily MODIS products, we provide the first continent-wide, multi-decadal record of spectral greenness. The area of satellite product exhibiting greenness increased by more than 50%, from 7,356 to 11,219 km², and mean seasonal detection span lengthened from 22.6 to 32.4 days. Both trends were significant across all three major Antarctic regions. Water availability and ultraviolet radiation together account for 77% of modeled continental climate contributions, while temperature contributes less. Modeled regional contributions diverge sharply: water dominates in East Antarctica, ultraviolet-radiation on the Antarctic Peninsula, and ultraviolet-radiation and temperature jointly in West Antarctica. These results reveal shared spatial and seasonal greening across contrasting Antarctic changing environments.

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