Mapping How Earth's Vegetation Has Changed Since the 1980s

Scientists at the University of Otago have developed a new system for mapping and monitoring the transformation of Earth’s biomes, or large-scale vegetation formations — grassland, tropical forest, boreal forest, desert, shrubland.

The new mapping system will allow scientists to more accurately track how biomes respond to global warming.

Scientists are using a system of satellites to track 24 different biome classifications. Each biome’s vegetation activity, temperature and soil moisture will be measured regularly.

Researchers used their new system to analyze biome changes over the last three decades. Since the 1980s, 13 percent of the Earth’s vegetation formations have changed.

http://gephardtdaily.com/national-international/map-shows-how-earths-vegetation-has-changed-since-1980s/

NASA

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