Russia's ancient wind defense: the triple tree line phenomenon

Weather satellites have captured an unusual image over the territory of Russia. The photograph reveals a triple line crossing the southern territories of Russia. What is this phenomenon, and where did it originate?

Astronauts spotted one of the satellite photos. It depicts three parallel lines traversing the steppes of southern Russia near the banks of the Volga.

Upon analyzing the photos, it was discovered that these striking lines are a type of shield. The dark lines are rows of dense tree plantings designed to protect crops from strong winds that cause soil erosion.

In several locations, the green belt is interrupted by paths and a stream used for irrigating crops. The upper belt is separated from the lower by about half a mile. Smaller green belts aim to prevent drainage channels from being covered by sand and shield surface waters from evaporation.

The technique of safeguarding crops from wind erosion has been employed in this part of Russia since the eighteenth century when the first farmers started to inhabit the steppes. They realized that the soils, after being forested, were significantly richer in organic carbon than those left fallow and unprotected against the wind. This method currently covers an area of approximately 2 million hectares of cultivated steppe soils and yields excellent outcomes.