Amongst the icy peaks and stony seas,
We count the plants that call such heights a home;
Traversing every sudden gale and breeze,
To better understand how they have grown.
Across the years of data in this zone,
Diversity increased at quickened pace;
Accelerating at a speed unknown.
So even in the most secluded place,
We see the consequences of our global race.
“We count the plants that call such heights a home” (Image in the Public Domain).
This is a Spenserian stanza, inspired by recent research which has found that global warming has resulted in an increase in the diversity of plant species on European mountain tops.
Unlike many other