April usually brings a sharp increase
in fire activity throughout eastern Russia, as farmers begin to prep
their fields for the coming season. This year is no exception.
Numerous fires were burning when the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument on NASA’s Aqua satellite passed over the Amur region near the Selemdzha River. Fields and grasslands appear brown, and red outlines mark the locations of actively burning fires. Two large smoke plumes, as well as a patchwork of darker burns scars, are also visible. Aqua acquired the image on April 29, 2013.
Many of the fires appear to be burning on farmland and were likely started by farmers. The Amur and Selemdzha river valleys are known as some of the most productive agricultural regions in Russia. Farmers in the area usually grow grain and soybeans while raising cattle, pigs, and poultry. Growers often burn debris from the previous year’s crop before replanting in order to clear the land and fertilize the soil.
Russian authorities discourage farmers from burning their fields, but each spring satellites detect large numbers of agricultural fires. Scientists can use satellites to distinguish between agricultural burning and wildfires because agricultural fires tend not to be as bright or as long-lasting.
In one study based on MODIS measurements, scientists tallied the global distribution of agriculture fires and found that between 18 and 29 percent of the fires in central Asia were agricultural in origin. Researchers also found that Russia was responsible for 31 to 36 percent of the world’s agricultural fires—more than any other country.
Numerous fires were burning when the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument on NASA’s Aqua satellite passed over the Amur region near the Selemdzha River. Fields and grasslands appear brown, and red outlines mark the locations of actively burning fires. Two large smoke plumes, as well as a patchwork of darker burns scars, are also visible. Aqua acquired the image on April 29, 2013.
Many of the fires appear to be burning on farmland and were likely started by farmers. The Amur and Selemdzha river valleys are known as some of the most productive agricultural regions in Russia. Farmers in the area usually grow grain and soybeans while raising cattle, pigs, and poultry. Growers often burn debris from the previous year’s crop before replanting in order to clear the land and fertilize the soil.
Russian authorities discourage farmers from burning their fields, but each spring satellites detect large numbers of agricultural fires. Scientists can use satellites to distinguish between agricultural burning and wildfires because agricultural fires tend not to be as bright or as long-lasting.
In one study based on MODIS measurements, scientists tallied the global distribution of agriculture fires and found that between 18 and 29 percent of the fires in central Asia were agricultural in origin. Researchers also found that Russia was responsible for 31 to 36 percent of the world’s agricultural fires—more than any other country.
References
- Korontzi, S. et al. (2006, June 6) Global Distribution of Agricultural Fires in Croplands from 3 Years of Moderate Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data. Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 1029 (25), 29.
- Pettus, A. et al. (2009, May) Agricultural Fires and Arctic Climate Change. Accessed April 30, 2013.
- Itar-Itass (2012) Up to 200 Wildfires Break Out in Russia Daily. Accessed April 30, 2013.
- Kommersant Amur Region. Accessed April 30, 2013.
Further Reading
- Earth Observatory Gallery Fires in Siberia.
NASA image courtesy Jeff Schmaltz, LANCE MODIS Rapid Response. Caption by Adam Voiland.
- Instrument:
- Aqua - MODIS
NASA: Russia - Burning Fields in Eastern Russia - Amur region near the Selemdzha River - 02.04.13
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My blogs are an open house to all cultures, religions and countries. Be a follower if you like it, with this action you are building a new culture of tolerance, open mind and heart for peace, love and human respect.
My blogs are an open house to all cultures, religions and countries. Be a follower if you like it, with this action you are building a new culture of tolerance, open mind and heart for peace, love and human respect.
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Mis blogs son una casa abierta a todas las culturas, religiones y países. Se un seguidor si quieres, con esta acción usted está construyendo una nueva cultura de la tolerancia, la mente y el corazón abiertos para la paz, el amor y el respeto humano.
Mis blogs son una casa abierta a todas las culturas, religiones y países. Se un seguidor si quieres, con esta acción usted está construyendo una nueva cultura de la tolerancia, la mente y el corazón abiertos para la paz, el amor y el respeto humano.
Gracias:)
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