The upper limits of where trees are capable of growing are shifting upwards due to climate change and changing temperatures, The Guardian reports, citing a study published in Global Change Biology journal. Treelines — the lines or altitudes above which no trees can grow — are rising regularly by 1.2 meters per year on average and 3.1 meters in tropical areas, according to the study, which analyzed 243 treelines between 2000 and 2010 using remote sensing technologies. 70% of the treelines have moved upwards and continue to do so at an accelerated pace, according to the study conducted by scientists from Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, China.

Human interference makes no difference: Despite the focus on “closed-loop” treelines — treelines that completely encircle a mountain and are therefore less likely to have been influenced by human land-use change — researchers still found that treelines shifted up, indicating that they are sensitive to climate change regardless of human interference.

What does this mean? Although treeline movement may have advantages, including increasing the volume of trees and therefore reducing carbon in the atmosphere, the phenomenon could put alpine species at risk and might affect water supply to some areas as more trees block rainwater from reaching the soil.

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