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Human influence on Amazon’s aboveground carbon dynamics intensified over the last decade

Author

Listed:
  • Arthur Fendrich

    (UMR 1572 CEA-CNRS-UVSQ
    Joint Research Centre (JRC))

  • Yu Feng

    (UMR 1572 CEA-CNRS-UVSQ
    Eastern Institute of Technology)

  • Jean-Pierre Wigneron

    (UMR 1391 ISPA)

  • Jerôme Chave

    (INPT)

  • Arnan Araza

    (Wageningen University and Research)

  • Zheyuan Li

    (Henan University)

  • Martin Herold

    (University of Potsdam
    Telegrafenberg)

  • Jean Ometto

    (Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais)

  • Luiz E. O. C. Aragão

    (Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais
    University of Exeter)

  • Isabel Martinez Cano

    (UMR 1572 CEA-CNRS-UVSQ)

  • Lei Zhu

    (UMR 1572 CEA-CNRS-UVSQ
    Tsinghua University)

  • Yidi Xu

    (UMR 1572 CEA-CNRS-UVSQ)

  • Philippe Ciais

    (UMR 1572 CEA-CNRS-UVSQ)

Abstract

The Amazon rainforest is crucial for the global carbon cycle, yet annual changes in its aboveground biomass carbon (AGC) stock remain highly uncertain. Natural and local anthropogenic drivers such as deforestation, forest degradation, and regrowth following deforestation interact with large-scale climate variability to determine AGC dynamics. Here, we propose an approach to disaggregate low-frequency passive L-band microwave data over 2010-2020 and reconstruct maps of annual change. We show that the Amazon lost −0.37 ± 0.17 PgC, with gains by undisturbed (0.33 ± 0.13 PgC) and secondary forest growth (0.33 ± 0.05 PgC) outweighed by losses by deforestation (−0.55 ± 0.04 PgC), degradation (−0.42 ± 0.08 PgC), and agricultural areas (−0.06 ± 0.03 PgC). Losses in human-influenced land intensified over time and amounted to 60% of all gross losses in El Niño years. Our study reinforces the need for stronger implementation of policies and effective actions to control forest degradation.

Suggested Citation

  • Arthur Fendrich & Yu Feng & Jean-Pierre Wigneron & Jerôme Chave & Arnan Araza & Zheyuan Li & Martin Herold & Jean Ometto & Luiz E. O. C. Aragão & Isabel Martinez Cano & Lei Zhu & Yidi Xu & Philippe Ci, 2025. "Human influence on Amazon’s aboveground carbon dynamics intensified over the last decade," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-61856-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-61856-1
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