Scientists fear the forest has crossed a tipping point!
How much of the Amazon rainforest has been lost to deforestation? About 17 percent of the Amazonian rainforest destroyed over the past 50 years. In addition, losses recently have been on the rise.
As a result of recent research from the University of Exeter, the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and Technical University of Munich, has found the Amazon rainforest may be at a tipping point?
Moreover, the forest has lost approximately ⅕ of its land as compared to pre industrialization. And moreover, the science apparently points to as much as 75% of the remaining forest being sick or in danger. The area does not grow back as quickly and is not as healthy as it’s historic precedent.
“The trees are losing health and could be approaching a tipping point – basically, a mass loss of trees,” according to one of the researchers: Dr Chris Boulton of the University of Exeter.
The Amazon stores lots of carbon. And all of that would release into the atmosphere. Which would then further contribute to increasing temperatures and have future effects on global mean temperatures.” This according to Dr Boulton.
Deforestation and climate change are likely to be the main drivers of this decline,” said Prof Niklas Boers of PIK and the Technical University of Munich.
In conclusion, we pray people will treat the forest better. Lastly a global treasure, we have only one.
