By Abbas Nazil
Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest is worsening the region’s dry season, reducing rainfall and increasing temperatures, according to new research by scientists at the University of São Paulo.
The study, published in Nature Communications, analyzed long-term land cover and atmospheric data from 29 sites across the Amazon between 1985 and 2020.
Researchers found that deforestation accounted for nearly 74 percent of rainfall reduction and 16.5 percent of temperature increases during the dry season.
Global climate change, however, was identified as the primary driver of overall warming trends.
The Amazon rainforest plays a crucial role in regulating global climate and is one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth.
Scientists focused on the dry season because deforestation has more significant effects during this time, leaving forests vulnerable to moisture loss and intensifying surface–atmosphere interactions.
The findings warn that if forest loss continues unchecked, the Amazon could face even greater declines in rainfall and higher dry-season temperatures, threatening ecosystems and regional stability.
Researchers stress that maintaining and restoring forest cover is a critical strategy to mitigate climate change and preserve biodiversity.
The results come as Brazil prepares to host COP30 in November, where forests are expected to be central in discussions.
COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago emphasized that forests provide a crucial reprieve in global climate action, highlighting their role in securing a sustainable future.
