Declining Rainfall in the Amazon: A Consequence of Deforestation and a Changing Climate

While India battles heavy rainfall and resulting floods, a separate ecological crisis is unfolding in the Amazon rainforest. Research indicates a decline in rainfall and increasing drought conditions in the Amazon. The Amazon, a vast tropical forest that extends across nine South American countries, is experiencing a reduction in rainfall, especially during the dry season. A recent study published in Nature Communications looks at the factors contributing to these changing patterns. Scientists analyzed land use and atmospheric data from the Brazilian Legal Amazon. They used statistical models to understand the effects of global warming and deforestation on rainfall. The research concluded that deforestation is the primary cause of the decrease in rainfall. Deforestation is responsible for about three-fourths of the decrease. Global warming contributes to the remainder. Deforestation resulted in significant reduction during the dry season. The Amazon’s trees are integral to the climate, drawing water from the ground and releasing it back into the atmosphere, which in turn supports the region’s rainfall. Deforestation disrupts this cycle, leading to decreased rainfall. The study also emphasizes that deforestation is impacting the South American monsoon, increasing the likelihood of droughts in Brazil. The Amazon has been hit by record droughts in recent years, causing problems with river transport and placing strain on hydroelectric power. The study notes that significant changes in weather occur when a large part of the forest is lost. If deforestation continues, dry season rainfall could decrease further, and temperatures would rise. This could lead to a dire situation for the Amazon rainforest, the diverse species it houses, and the communities dependent on it. Although deforestation saw a slight decrease, devastating fires in 2024 caused damage to millions of hectares of primary forest. The impact of deforestation is not only disrupting the local climate but is also contributing to the global climate crisis.