Global warming is affecting plant and animal life according to a key nature study.

A crack international team of scientists working across a broad range of disciplines has found that a global average temperature of 0.6°c has had major repercussions on the natural world.

Although the change seems minute by human standards, even small variance can cause large changes in ecological patterns.

Mosses and other plants have appeared in formerly barren areas of Antarctica.

And typical springtime activities, such as breeding and the arrival back home of migrated birds, are beginning earlier in the year.

Hanover University ecologist Dr Gian-Reto Walther said: 'We know that the global average temperature has increased by 0.6°c and for many people this may sound very minor, but we are quite surprised that this change has had so many impacts on natural ecosystems.' The report was one of the most detailed ever studies, and the findings were published in prestigious science journal Nature.

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