LIFE BENEATH THE SNOW.
Published In: Science News, 2026, v. 208, n. 2. P. 48 1 of 3
Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3
Authored By: Brookshire, Bethany 3 of 3
Abstract
The article focuses on the subnivium, a unique winter ecosystem formed beneath snow that supports various organisms, including plants, microbes, and small mammals. This ecosystem is crucial for nutrient cycling and the survival of species during winter months. However, climate change is threatening the subnivium by reducing snow cover, which has decreased by 2.2 percent per decade in the Northern Hemisphere from 1979 to 2012. As winters become warmer and precipitation shifts from snow to rain, the subnivium's existence is at risk, potentially leading to significant ecological consequences for both the organisms that inhabit it and the broader forest ecosystem. Researchers are exploring ways to mitigate these impacts and preserve this vital habitat. [Extracted from the article]
Additional Information
- Source:Science News. 2026/02, Vol. 208, Issue 2, p48
- Document Type:Article
- Subject Area:Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Publication Date:2026
- ISSN:0036-8423
- Accession Number:190728390
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