Mick Harper
Site Admin
In: London
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An exquisite confirmation of my hydrology model (whose name I have forgotten as usual)
Deforestation is resulting in reduced rainfall across large parts of the tropics, according to new research.
People living in tropical forest communities have often complained that the climate gets hotter and drier once trees are cleared but until now, scientists have not been able to identify a clear link between the loss of tree cover and a decline in rainfall. |
Not surprising since they believe rainfall comes from the ocean.
| A research team at the University of Leeds combined satellite data of deforestation and rainfall to show that the loss of tree cover in the tropics over the last 14 years was associated with reductions in rainfall. They estimate that by the end of the century, if the rate of deforestation in the Congo was to continue, rainfall in the region could be reduced by between 8% and 12%, with major impacts on biodiversity and farming, and could threaten the viability of the Congo forests, which are among the world's largest stores of carbon. |
Not to mention Madagascar and Australia.
| Callum Smith, a doctoral researcher in the School of Earth and Environment at Leeds and the lead author in the study, said the investigation provides "compelling evidence" to protect forests from uncontrolled clearing. He added, "Tropical forests play a critical role in the hydrological cycle through helping to maintain local and regional rainfall patterns. The reduction in rainfall caused by tropical deforestation will impact people living nearby through increased water scarcity and depressed crop yields. |
Notice he doesn't say why. He can't, he believes it all came from the Atlantic and no water molecule I have spoken to lately says they cared whether they were dropping on trees or not.
"Tropical forests themselves rely on moisture to survive and remaining areas of forest will be impacted by a drier climate."
The research paper, "Tropical deforestation causes large reductions in observed precipitation," is published today (Wed, March 1) in the journal Nature. |
Go on, son, state a truism.
| The researchers looked at the impact of forest loss in three areas of the tropics—the Amazon, Congo and Southeast Asia—which have all experienced rapid land-use changes. The study involved analysis of satellite observations from 2003 to 2017, to identify locations where forests had been cleared. Rainfall data in these areas, also measured by satellites, was compared to rainfall from nearby locations where forests had not been lost. |
Actually, this would destroy our thesis if they showed a difference. Let's see if they do...
| The study revealed that tropical forest loss caused reductions in rainfall throughout the year, including in the dry season when any further drying will have the biggest ramifications on plant and animal ecosystems. The greatest absolute decline in precipitation was seen in the wet season with up to a 0.6 mm a month reduction in rainfall for every percentage point loss of forest cover. |
No, they didn't. Careful ignoral?
| It is believed the loss of tree cover disrupts the process where moisture from leaves—through a mechanism called evapotranspiration—is returned to the atmosphere where it eventually forms rain clouds. |
They've got it! The whole enchilada. I'll spare you the rest which goes on to show how vital their work is. Or as we say, "More research is needed!" Though not "More examination of what you already believe is needed."
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