The warming of the Arctic has already caused changes in the timing of plankton blooms, tundra greening, and insect hatching.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not related
• D. The statement is not supported

Answer: (A)

Warming in the Arctic changes the timing of seasonal biological events, a pattern known as phenology. As temperatures rise, snow melts earlier and soils warm sooner, lengthening the growing season. This leads to earlier phytoplankton blooms in Arctic waters, since warmer conditions and more daylight boost primary production. It also causes tundra vegetation to green up sooner, with leaves appearing earlier and productivity increasing over a longer period. Insects respond to soil and air temperatures as well, so their hatching and emergence occur earlier than in cooler years. With multiple lines of observational evidence showing these shifts, the statement that Arctic warming has already changed the timing of plankton blooms, tundra greening, and insect hatching is supported.