Significant Carbon Loss Driven by Human and Natural Impacts in Amazon's Deforestation Arc

The Amazon’s “Arc of Deforestation” is a region where deforestation rates are alarmingly high due to both human activities and natural events. This area, primarily along the southern and eastern Amazon, is being rapidly cleared for agriculture, logging, and other land uses. These practices disrupt the carbon balance, as trees in the Amazon store vast amounts of carbon, which is released back into the atmosphere when they are cut or burned.

The natural ability of the Amazon to absorb and store carbon has been a crucial factor in mitigating climate change. However, frequent droughts, increased fire events, and selective logging degrade forests and lower their carbon storage capacity. Research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that these combined disturbances lead to net carbon loss that cannot be offset by natural regrowth, making the Amazon more of a carbon source than a sink in certain areas.

In-depth studies also highlight that forest degradation (such as selective logging and understorey fires) often has a greater impact than outright deforestation, contributing to a loss of biodiversity and resilience in the ecosystem. Forests exposed to repeated stressors become more vulnerable, reducing their ability to recover and leading to long-term carbon release.

Efforts to mitigate these issues include implementing stricter forest management policies, protecting indigenous lands that often serve as natural buffers against deforestation, and exploring sustainable land-use alternatives. However, the increasing demands for agriculture, coupled with climate-driven changes like extended dry seasons, continue to threaten the delicate balance of the Amazon rainforest. Researchers call for global awareness and intervention to slow down these disturbances, as the Amazon plays an irreplaceable role in global carbon regulation and biodiversity conservation.

References:

https://www.osti.gov/pages/biblio/2426669

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