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Amazon Loses 240 Million Acres of Primary Forest, Study Reveals
Sentiment: NegativeHigh Priority
What Happened?
A new study reports that the Amazon has lost 240 million acres of primary forest, about 15% of its original cover, with significant losses occurring between 2022 and 2025. This loss threatens vital moisture pathways essential for rainfall.
Key points
- The Amazon has lost 97 million hectares (240 million acres) of primary forest by the end of 2025.
- Between 2022 and 2025, 13.04 million hectares (32.2 million acres) of forest were lost.
- Fire was a significant cause of forest loss, especially during the record fire losses of 2024.
- Brazil accounted for 79.4% of the total forest loss in the Amazon.
- The Amazon is approaching a tipping point where 25% of its forest loss could disrupt the hydrological cycle.
Key insights
- The rapid loss of forest cover could lead to severe disruptions in rainfall patterns, affecting agriculture and water supply.
- Regions in Peru and Bolivia are at high risk due to their dependence on moisture from the Amazon.
- The forecast of a strong El Niño could exacerbate the situation by extending dry periods and increasing fire risks.
Why it matters
The loss of forest cover threatens the Amazon's ability to sustain its hydrological cycle, which is crucial for regional rainfall.
Tags
Entities
Amazon· LocationMAAP· OrganizationBrazil· CountryPeru· CountryBolivia· CountryCalifornia· LocationTexas· Location
Source
Times of India
