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Amazon deforestation causes strong regional warming
Edward W Butt1, Jessica C A Baker1, Francisco G Silva Bezerra2
1Institute for Climate and Atmospheric Science, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom.
Summary
Tropical deforestation significantly warms regions far from the cleared areas. Reducing forest loss can mitigate this warming, enhancing climate resilience in the Amazon.
Area of Science:
- Climate Science
- Environmental Science
- Remote Sensing
Background:
- Tropical deforestation causes local warming through land-atmosphere interactions.
- The regional (nonlocal) temperature impacts of deforestation are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the regional warming effects of Amazon deforestation.
- To assess the impact of forest loss on land-surface temperatures up to 100 km away.
Main Methods:
- Utilized remote-sensed observations of forest loss and dry season land-surface temperature (2001-2020).
- Applied a machine learning approach to analyze nonlocal warming patterns at 2-100 km scales.
Main Results:
- Deforestation in the Amazon caused significant warming up to 100 km away.
- Nonlocal warming increased deforestation's temperature impact by over fourfold (0.16 K to 0.71 K per 10% forest loss).
- Projected dry season warming of 0.96 K in Mato Grosso by 2050 under high deforestation scenario.
Conclusions:
- Tropical deforestation is a major contributor to regional climate warming.
- Reducing deforestation can mitigate future warming and enhance regional climate adaptation and resilience.
- Sustainable Amazon management is crucial for regional climate stability.
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