The droughts of 2023 and 2024 have created the hardest times for the Amazon forest, creating fear that it would not be able to rejuvenate itself and perform its role as one of the major carbon sinks of the planet after over 30 years.

As per recent studies, both biomass and moisture in the forest have reached their lowest level after 1992. Close to one-fourth (26.8%) of the forest had experienced severe degradation, as opposed to 11% in the 2005 drought.

What is happening to the Amazon?

Usually, there are periods of significant drought in the Amazon every seven years. In light of climate change, however, both their number and severity increase. Droughts in 2023 and 2024 occurred at the same time, thus creating even more difficulties.

In its turn, the rainforest affects the global climate as a carbon storage and moisture reprocessor thanks to precipitation. In conditions of intense drought, trees become dry, the rate of growth is reduced, and in some cases, even vegetation perishes.

Measurements of the damage

Scientists developed an innovative technique to monitor changes in biomass by collecting microwave radar data, which allows for detecting moisture levels in trees’ trunks and branches. The innovation is a significant advantage compared to the usual monitoring using satellite images because it penetrates through the clouds and tracks bigger changes in the forest.

The researchers were able to observe trends in biomass and moisture levels for several years, and their study demonstrated a more severe impact of the droughts than previous studies.

Possible reasons for slow recovery

According to the projections, the restoration process after the last two droughts might become the most challenging since records started. It might take decades before the forests fully recover.

The scientists have fears regarding a possible tipping point when the ecosystem becomes unable to absorb carbon dioxide and turns into a carbon emitter. Previous studies have already proved the theory.

Are there variations in the extent to which each region is affected?

There seem to be some discrepancies. There seem to be some more resilient forest areas. Those that have shorter trees and less fertile sandy soils seem to be more adaptable to drought-like conditions and bounce back quickly from these changes.

But even such resilience may be insufficient for combating further deterioration of ecosystems if the current drought becomes prolonged.

What can we expect in the future?

The study highlights a change in the way the ecosystem functions. Droughts occurring more frequently due to increased temperatures and deforestation lead to an unusual state of the ecosystem.

This will inevitably affect its ability to regulate the Earth’s climate.