Cutting down the Amazon will bring extreme rain, wind and heat

New Scientist
New Scientist
3M ago
106 views
New research reveals that total deforestation in the Amazon may lead to increased extreme weather events rather than reduced rainfall, challenging previous assumptions.
Cutting down the Amazon will bring extreme rain, wind and heat
A What happened
Recent research led by Arim Yoon at the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology challenges the prevailing belief that deforestation in the Amazon would lead to decreased rainfall. Utilizing advanced climate modeling techniques, the study found that total deforestation could maintain stable annual rainfall but would increase the frequency of dry periods and violent rainfall events by 54%. Additionally, daily temperature extremes are projected to rise by 2.7°C and 5.4°C, exacerbating heat stress for the region's inhabitants. The study emphasizes the need for further investigation into the effects of partial deforestation, as current models may not accurately reflect future scenarios. Experts caution that while these findings are significant, more research is necessary to validate the results and understand the broader implications for the Amazon and its diverse population.

Key insights

  • 1

    Increased Extreme Weather: Deforestation may lead to more extreme rainfall and temperature fluctuations.

  • 2

    Need for Further Research: Experts call for more studies on the impacts of partial deforestation.

  • 3

    Challenging Previous Assumptions: New findings contradict earlier models predicting reduced rainfall post-deforestation.

Takeaways

The study underscores the complex climate dynamics of the Amazon and the urgent need for further research.

Topics

Climate & Environment Climate Change Sustainability Wildlife