Impact of Amazonian deforestation on precipitation reverses between seasons

Tropical deforestation was found to cause large reductions in precipitation using a range of observation-based datasets1. However, the limitations of satellite-based space-for-time statistical analysis have hindered understanding of the roles of reshaped mesoscale atmospheric circulation and regional precipitation recycling at different scales. These effects are considered nonlocal effects, which are distinct from the local effects governed by deforestation-induced reductions in evapotranspiration (ET). Here we show reversed precipitation responses to Amazon deforestation across wet and dry seasons. During the wet season, deforested grids experienced a noteworthy increase in precipitation (0.96 mm month−1 per…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 42071022, 42371026, 42361144001
• SU
  Southern University of Science and Technology

  Awards: 29/Y01296222, 29/Y01296602, G030290001, ZDSYS20220606100604008, 29/Y01296122
• BA
  Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province

  Award: 2022A1515240070