The sum of Earth's plants, on land and in the ocean, changes slightly from year to year as weather patterns shift. This pair of images contrasts average plant growth in 2002 to growth in 2008, revealing small interannual changes.
Published Jun 6, 2009
For several weeks in May and early June, daily satellite images of the North Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland have captured partial glimpses of luxuriant blooms of microscopic marine plants between patches of clouds. On June 4, 2007, the skies over the ocean cleared, displaying the sea’s spring bloom in brilliant color. A bright blue bloom stretches north from the Mouth of the River Shannon and tapers off like a plume of blue smoke north of Clare Island.
Published Jun 6, 2007
