Forest-rainfall cascades buffer against drought across the Amazon

Arie Staal (), Obbe A. Tuinenburg, Joyce H. C. Bosmans, Milena Holmgren, Egbert H. van Nes, Marten Scheffer, Delphine Clara Zemp and Stefan C. Dekker
Additional contact information
Arie Staal: Wageningen University
Obbe A. Tuinenburg: Utrecht University
Joyce H. C. Bosmans: Utrecht University
Milena Holmgren: Wageningen University
Egbert H. van Nes: Wageningen University
Marten Scheffer: Wageningen University
Delphine Clara Zemp: University of Goettingen
Stefan C. Dekker: Utrecht University

Nature Climate Change, 2018, vol. 8, issue 6, 539-543

Abstract: Abstract Tree transpiration in the Amazon may enhance rainfall for downwind forests. Until now it has been unclear how this cascading effect plays out across the basin. Here, we calculate local forest transpiration and the subsequent trajectories of transpired water through the atmosphere in high spatial and temporal detail. We estimate that one-third of Amazon rainfall originates within its own basin, of which two-thirds has been transpired. Forests in the southern half of the basin contribute most to the stability of other forests in this way, whereas forests in the south-western Amazon are particularly dependent on transpired-water subsidies. These forest-rainfall cascades buffer the effects of drought and reveal a mechanism by which deforestation can compromise the resilience of the Amazon forest system in the face of future climatic extremes.

Date: 2018
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DOI: 10.1038/s41558-018-0177-y

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