According to recent study, “Zombie fires” and burning of fire-resistant vegetation are new features driving Arctic fires.
- Scientists say that this summer’s carbon emissions from Arctic wildfires were a third higher than last year’s previous record levels, research suggests.
- The prevalence of holdover fires (from a previous growing season ) is called zombie fires. Fire from a previous growing season can smolder in carbon-rich peat underground over the winter, then re-ignite on the surface as soon as the weather warms in spring.
- The researchers estimate that from the start of January to the end of August, Arctic CO2 emissions from fires were 244 megatonnes.
(Source: BBC and Sciencedaily)
CLICK HERE FOR UPSC PRELIMS CURRENT AFFAIRS MCQ
