#amazon drought

Researchers concluded that these types of extreme weather events could occur up to once every 15 years if the Earth’s temperature continues to rise Last year’s unprecedented drought in the Amazon led to the lowest river levels in 120 years. Manaus and 20 other Brazilian cities declared a state of emergency due to the low availability of water, and the region of Lake Tefé gained worldwide attention because of the deaths of over 100 dolphins. It was a climatic catastrophe. Several villages were cut off because the rivers used for transportation dried up, and in other countries such as Peru and Colombia, there were alerts due to fish mortality caused by high temperatures. At the time, the question arose as to how much the El Niño phenomenon and climate change had to do with this extreme event. Who was to blame? The suspicion was that it was a combination of both. Now, a study by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) initiative, in which scientists from Brazil, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States participated, provides a definite answer: climate change, and not El Niño, was the main cause of the exceptional drought experienced in the Amazon basin between June and November 2023.

Science Speaks: Recent Findings on Unprecedented Drought in the Amazon Rainforest

Introduction

The Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the "lungs of the Earth," is facing an unprecedented threat—a severe drought that could have far-reaching consequences on the delicate balance of this vital ecosystem. In recent years, the Amazon rainforest has been experiencing unusual weather patterns, with prolonged periods of drought disrupting its normal climate cycles.

The Impact of Drought on the Amazon Rainforest Ecosystem

The effects of this prolonged drought are not limited to parched vegetation and thirsty animals. The disruption of the water cycle has cascading effects on the entire Amazon rainforest ecosystem. Plants and animals dependent on regular rainfall face challenges in finding water, leading to a decline in biodiversity.