CO₂ physiological effect can cause rainfall decrease as strong as large-scale deforestation in the Amazon

22 April 2021

The impact of large-scale deforestation and the physiological effects of elevated atmospheric CO₂ on Amazon rainfall are systematically compared in this study. The authors' results are remarkable in showing that the two disturbances cause equivalent rainfall decrease, though through different causal mechanisms. These results highlight the importance of not only curbing regional deforestation but also reducing global CO₂ emissions to avoid climatic changes in the Amazon.

The press release by the Agência FAPESP (in Portuguese) can be found at: https://agencia.fapesp.br/aumento-de-co2-na-amazonia-pode-ter-impacto-ate-maior-que-o-do-desmatamento-na-diminuicao-das-chuvas/35694/

Contact: David M. Lapola (dmlapola@unicamp.br)