Climate Change, Deforestation, and the Fate of the Amazon

Abstract

The forest biome of Amazonia is one of Earth's greatest biological treasures, and a major component of the Earth system. This century, it faces the dual threats of deforestation and stress from climate change. In this review, we summarize some of the latest findings and thinking on these threats, explore the consequences for the forest ecosystem and its human residents, and outline options for the future of Amazonia. We also discuss the implications of new proposals to finance preservation of Amazonian forests.

A New Framework for Natural Resource Management in Amazonia

“…However, while deforestation and its potential impact on global climate systems (Malhi et al 2008) grab most of the headlines, it is easy to forget that Amazonia is also home to a large and diverse human population . In addition to the remaining indigenous tribes, there are many settlements and scattered communities of fishermen and farmers of mixed ethnic origins.…”

Advances in the study of giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis): ecology, behavior, and conservation: a review

“…Deforestation and climate change: The giant otter's distributional range includes and almost coincides with the Amazon Basin and Guiana Shield, which is not only the largest repository of global biodiversity but also a key component of the global carbon cycle, which is itself a determining factor for global climate (Malhi et al, 2008;Vergara and Scholz, 2011). It is well known that changes in land-cover can be a driver of climate change through a number of feedback loops (Cox et al, 2004;Malhi et al, 2008;Nepstad et al, 2008).…”

“…It is well known that changes in land-cover can be a driver of climate change through a number of feedback loops (Cox et al, 2004;Malhi et al, 2008;Nepstad et al, 2008). On the other hand, current climate trends may unbalance the Amazon ecosystem and, in association with land use changes, may be shifting the region from a carbon sink to a carbon source (Vergara and Scholz, 2011).…”

“…In Brazil, the drivers of deforestation are manifold and have already reduced the forest cover for this region to about 80% of its original area (Davidson et al, 2012). Clearance is concentrated in the 'arc of deforestation' on the southern and eastern margins, driven primarily by expansion of cattle and by soybean production, which responds to international and national demands for livestock feed (Malhi et al, 2008;Davidson et al, 2012). Moreover, rising worldwide demands for biofuel is creating powerful new incentives for agro-industrial expansion (Nepstad et al, 2008).…”

Focusing Ecological Research for Conservation

“…Meanwhile, some areas require urgent attention and may provide multifaceted conservation opportunities. For example, forest protection for carbon sequestration and maintenance of biodiversity is needed immediately in Brazilian Amazonia, where 70 % of deforestation is caused by cattle ranching for human consumption (Malhi et al 2008). A strategic approach to the conservation of North American prairies can enable carbon storage, minimize the ongoing decline of grassland birds, and address depletion of the Ogallala aquifer caused by ground-water pumping for irrigation (McGuire 2011).…”