The effect of Amazonian deforestation on the northern hemisphere circulation and climate

Citation
N. Gedney et Pj. Valdes, The effect of Amazonian deforestation on the northern hemisphere circulation and climate, GEOPHYS R L, 27(19), 2000, pp. 3053-3056
Citations number
16
Categorie Soggetti
Earth Sciences
Journal title
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
ISSN journal
00948276 → ACNP
Volume
27
Issue
19
Year of publication
2000
Pages
3053 - 3056
Database
ISI
SICI code
0094-8276(20001001)27:19<3053:TEOADO>2.0.ZU;2-1
Abstract
Concern about tropical deforestation has often focused on local climate or ecological change. Less research has been carried out on its possible effec ts on the global climate, although possible mechanisms for such an occurren ce have been proposed. Here we use a general circulation model (GCM) to sho w that complete Amazonian deforestation can result in changes in the climat e far afield from the region of deforestation. In particular, the model pre dicts statistically significant changes to winter rainfall over the NE Atla ntic, extending towards western Europe. These are associated with large-sca le circulation changes in middle and high latitudes. Simulation of these ci rculation changes with a simple model confirms the physical mechanism respo nsible (planetary wave propagation) implying that the result is robust and relatively independent of the GCM used.