Study: Amazon Rainforest Now Emits More Carbon Than It Absorbs
A study published in Nature reveals that the Amazon has shifted from a carbon sink to a carbon source, driven primarily by deforestation and land-use changes.
The Amazon rainforest, long recognized for its capacity to capture and store vast quantities of carbon dioxide, has experienced a shift in its role within the global carbon cycle. Research led by Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research, drawing on 15 years of atmospheric data, indicates that the forest frequently releases more carbon than it sequesters, maintaining near-neutral levels only during exceptionally wet years.
While climate stressors such as drought and heat waves impact the forest’s vitality, the data suggests that human activity is the primary catalyst for net carbon emissions. Large-scale deforestation, logging, and the use of fire to clear land for cattle ranching are identified as the most significant factors driving the trend. When these activities coincide with climate stress, the resulting surge in emissions is substantial.
Researchers warn that the region is nearing a potential tipping point where the forest’s ability to recover is permanently compromised. The study concludes that aggressive policy measures aimed at reaching zero deforestation are necessary to curb carbon emissions and stabilize the Amazon’s function as a critical global climate regulator.