Despite gains combating deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon, forest degradation is a looming threat

[denisegutzmer@mindly.social]

Despite gains combating deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon, forest degradation is a looming threat

Many other threats, ranging from climate change to potential legislation on the horizon, are putting the forest at risk. Forest degradation, driven by wildfires, logging and drought, affects about 40% of the Amazon and has outpaced clear-cutting in recent years. All of this could be exacerbated in 2026 with a strong El Nino, a cyclic warming of the equatorial Pacific, which causes higher temperatures and drier weather in the rainforest, conditions that worsen wildfires.

#Amazon #ForestDegradation

Despite gains combating deforestation in Brazil's Amazon, forest degradation is a looming threat

Brazil is on track to record its lowest Amazon deforestation rates since 2012. Despite this major accomplishment, experts warn that forest degradation, driven by wildfires, logging and drought, is outpacing deforestation.

AP News (apnews.com)