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Climate Change Forces Early Leaf Emergence in Japan

5/3/2025

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Summary

Story summary

In a striking revelation, researchers from the University of Tsukuba discovered that warmer spring temperatures in 2023 and 2024 triggered earlier leaf emergence across Japan, with leaves sprouting 3 to 9 days ahead of schedule. Alarmingly, climate change could push this trend further, advancing leaf flush by 7 to 21 days in the future.

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Story summary

In a striking revelation, researchers from the University of Tsukuba discovered that warmer spring temperatures in 2023 and 2024 triggered earlier leaf emergence across Japan, with leaves sprouting 3 to 9 days ahead of schedule. Alarmingly, climate change could push this trend further, advancing leaf flush by 7 to 21 days in the future.