A Human-Driven Decline in Global Burned Area
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- Visualizations by:
- Amy Moran
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- Scientific consulting by:
- Doug C. Morton and
- Niels Andela
- View full credits
NASA satellite data provide a consistent global record of fire activity. Years with more fire (red) and less fire (blue) highlight how different biomes respond to climate variability. In forests and the humid tropics, most burning occurs in dry years. In more arid savannas, wetter years increase burned area—more rainfall grows more grass, adding fuel for future fires.
During 1998-2015, global burned area declined by nearly 25%. The trend map shows strong declines in burned area (blue) across the savannas and grasslands of Africa, the Eurasian Steppe, and South America. A rapid increase in agriculture, livestock, and population reduced burning in these highly flammable ecosystems. Less burning has benefits, including improved air quality and increasing the land carbon sink. However, less frequent burning may convert open savannas into shrublands or woodlands, eliminating habitat for many endemic species, including iconic lions, elephants, and other large mammals.
During 1998-2015, global burned area declined by nearly 25%. The trend map shows strong declines in burned area (blue) across the savannas and grasslands of Africa, the Eurasian Steppe, and South America. A rapid increase in agriculture, livestock, and population reduced burning in these highly flammable ecosystems. Less burning has benefits, including improved air quality and increasing the land carbon sink. However, less frequent burning may convert open savannas into shrublands or woodlands, eliminating habitat for many endemic species, including iconic lions, elephants, and other large mammals.
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Credits
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
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Data visualizer
- Amy Moran (Global Science and Technology, Inc.) [Lead]
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Scientists
- Doug C. Morton (NASA/GSFC) [Lead]
- Niels Andela (Science Collaborator) [Lead]
Papers
This visualization is based on the following papers:You may also like...
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