Forest Study Reveals Decrease in Carbon Storage and Tree Characteristics due to Deterioration
In a recent study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, researchers analyzed 1,207 tree species across 271 forest plots in six Brazilian regions, revealing the pressing need for action to improve the quality of forests in heavily degraded areas.
The findings suggest that the problem of forest degradation isn't just about losing a few tree species, but shifting the forest's critical qualities. For instance, faster-growing trees with softer wood tend to prevail over denser species with a higher carbon-storage capacity due to forest loss. This shift not only compromises the forest's ability to absorb carbon but also threatens the survival of species like the Brazil nut tree, a vital component of the Amazon Rainforest.
The Brazil nut tree, listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List and threatened by Brazil's Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, is particularly at risk in human-modified forests. The agouti, a large rodent native to Central and South America, plays a key role in dispersing the seeds of the Brazil nut tree. However, its population significantly declines in deforested and degraded forests compared to intact forests, leading to reduced seed dispersal and regeneration of these trees.
The study conducted in Paragominas, a region south of Belém characterized by severe forest degradation, emphasizes the urgent need for action. Despite a decrease in deforestation in 2024, the tropics continue to lose forest cover at an alarming rate.
Policies should focus on preserving and enhancing forest cover, preventing degradation, and protecting fauna in degraded areas. In addition to maintaining the required 35-80% of natural vegetation as per Brazil's Forest Code, measures are needed to increase forest cover, control logging, and protect fauna for the reproduction of large trees.
Remaining tropical forests, regardless of protection status, are losing important traits due to landscape modification and local degradation. The findings underscore the need for a shift in focus from the configuration of remaining forests to preserving and enhancing forest cover and preventing degradation.
As the world continues to grapple with the impacts of climate change, the preservation and restoration of the Amazon Rainforest become increasingly crucial. The study serves as a call to action, highlighting the urgent need for concerted efforts to improve the quality of forests in degraded areas and safeguard the Amazon's biodiversity.
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