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datarulesme t1_jakigrj wrote

Abstract

>Tropical forests play a critical role in the hydrological cycle and can influence local and regional precipitation1. Previous work has assessed the impacts of tropical deforestation on precipitation, but these efforts have been largely limited to case studies2. A wider analysis of interactions between deforestation and precipitation—and especially how any such interactions might vary across spatial scales—is lacking. Here we show reduced precipitation over deforested regions across the tropics. Our results arise from a pan-tropical assessment of the impacts of 2003–2017 forest loss on precipitation using satellite, station-based and reanalysis datasets. The effect of deforestation on precipitation increased at larger scales, with satellite datasets showing that forest loss caused robust reductions in precipitation at scales greater than 50 km. The greatest declines in precipitation occurred at 200 km, the largest scale we explored, for which 1 percentage point of forest loss reduced precipitation by 0.25 ± 0.1 mm per month. Reanalysis and station-based products disagree on the direction of precipitation responses to forest loss, which we attribute to sparse in situ tropical measurements. We estimate that future deforestation in the Congo will reduce local precipitation by 8–10% in 2100. Our findings provide a compelling argument for tropical forest conservation to support regional climate resilience

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AnchoriteOfPalgrave t1_jalmyxz wrote

Forests proceed civilizations, deserts follow them.

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r-reading-my-comment t1_jaoc1hn wrote

Tell that to the Mayans

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_OriamRiniDadelos_ t1_japqbmd wrote

An explanation of the Classic Maya collapse is that they deforested so much, over taxes their environment, and got hit by even harsher droughts because if it (Yucatán is not a land of rivers) so that’s why the mountain cities carried on and most the lowland ones suffered.

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tacomonster92 t1_jal3okl wrote

Makes sense too. Much of the water that is being transfered throughout the plant is then lost and moved due to deforestation. That water cycle is then disrupted. Why there wasn't a clear correlation until now seems strange to me.

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hectichead22 t1_jalson5 wrote

Scientists prove what common sense/logic has know for some time. Let's hope our trusted leader's now act to prevent. I'll not hold my breath.

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tacomonster92 t1_jamr0ky wrote

It's a bit more than that. We've known about the water cycle of plants and what role they play in their environment for some time. That's why I find this all strange. It's not just the common sense it's the fact we knew but now I guess we've finally proven it, again?

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Decision_Fatigue t1_janig5o wrote

I agree, this has been common knowledge for a very long time… just because there’s pretty pictures to prove it, hopefully someone will listen.

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jasant98 t1_jallg18 wrote

The data analysis in this study is really impressive. I'm curious about the impact it has on non-local weather systems

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OkSquirrel5696 t1_jam7ooa wrote

So we learned nothing from the dustbowl and that was only 100 years ago. Then again if COVID and upcoming avian flu mutation is any indication, no, humans learn nothing

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Creative_soja t1_jara9z4 wrote

I remember reading something like that years decades ago about Amazon rainforest or in general any coastal forests. They help pump or transfer water inland. Most rains fall within a few km of a coast. It is forests that recycle the water and transpire to restore moisture for rains further inland. So, cutting coastal forests is far more damaging as it disturbs entire water cycle of much much broader geography.

It is nice to final evidence of such long held traditional knowledge linking trees with rains.

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