Is the Amazon rainforest reaching tipping point? – Society

The research, published in ‘Nature’ and led by the Federal University of Santa Catarina (Brazil), including experts from the University of Birmingham (United Kingdom), analyzes how global warming could interact with regional rainfall and deforestation , which may accelerate the loss of forests. Amazon, pushing it towards partial or complete collapse.

Lead author Bernardo Flores of the University of Santa Catarina comments: “Serious disturbances are becoming increasingly common in the Amazon. If these disturbances work in synergy, we could see unexpected ecosystem changes in areas previously considered resilient. Are.”, such as humid forests. “Western and Central Amazon.”

Thus, the work plans to see whether these factors can produce a “tipping point”, in which the forest is so fragile that only a small disturbance can cause sudden changes.

The research findings are important because the Amazon rainforest plays a vital role in the global climate system. For example, trees in the Amazon store huge amounts of carbon, which, if released, could accelerate global warming.

The study also examined the role of biodiversity and local communities in shaping the resilience of the Amazon forests. They argue that a successful approach will depend on a combination of local and global efforts.

This will include cooperation between Amazon countries to end deforestation and expand restoration, while global efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions will mitigate the effects of climate change.