Shade or sun? Forest structure affects tree responses to Amazon drought
Small trees in the shade of the canopy are able to thrive during dry spells in the Brazilian Amazon, but those exposed to the sun in forest clearings suffer.
Articles by Claire Asher
Claire has been working as a freelance science writer for the last 2 years, and her writing has appeared in New Scientist, BBCEarth, ScienceNOW and SciDev.Net. She is interested in animal behaviour, ecology and conservation. She also works part-time in science communication at University College London, and runs a science blog in her spare time.
Brazil soy trade linked to widespread deforestation, carbon emissions
Analysis of new satellite data released by the Brazilian government links international soy exports to major deforestation in the Amazon and Cerrado.
Brazil’s New Forest Code puts vast areas of protected Amazon forest at risk
Weakening of Brazil’s Forest Code by Congress in 2012 and by the Supreme Court in 2018 could free Amazon landowners to clear 15 million hectares of once protected forest: study.
Adapt to a changing Amazon now, or pay far higher price later, experts say
The costs of acting now to adapt to a predicted, dramatic loss of Amazon rainforest would be at least one order of magnitude lower than the economic fallout if we…
Amazon forests not changing fast enough to keep up with climate change: study
A three-decade study of Amazon forests finds rain-loving trees are being replaced by drought-tolerant species – an adaptation not close to keeping pace with climate change.
Extreme floods on the rise in the Amazon: study
Severe flood events have become five times more common over the last century as a result of natural atmospheric oscillations and human-driven climate change.
Mega-dam costs outweigh benefits, global building spree should end: experts
It is time to move away from large hydroelectric dams in favor of micro-scale energy generation and sustainable alternatives, according to a new report.
Saving the Amazon has come at the cost of Cerrado deforestation: study
The benefits of zero-deforestation agreements in the Amazon are being offset by the spillover of deforestation and native vegetation loss into other biomes.
Deforestation-linked Brazilian beef still flowing into international markets: report
The Brazilian cattle industry’s lack of traceability allows deforestation-linked beef to reach retailers committed to eliminating it. Uruguay’s digital traceability system could be a solution.
A river runs through it — and keeps the Amazon’s bird species diverse
Amazonian rivers don’t often drive the creation of new species, but do help maintain distinct populations, according to a study published in the journal Science Advances last month. Amazonian rivers…
Trase.earth tracks commodities, links supply chains to deforestation risk
Report details soy supply chains, shows that just six traders control most of Brazil’s deforestation risk. Report is product of Trase, a powerful new Internet tracking tool.
Plant response to rising CO2 levels may alter rainfall patterns across tropics
Increases in greenhouse gas levels are closing plant stomata (tiny pores in leaves); the plants then retain more water, potentially altering tropical rain patterns: study.
Hunting, fishing causing dramatic decline in Amazon river dolphins
Both species of Amazon river dolphin declined by over 90 percent between 1994-2017 in an Amazonas state reserve, mostly due to hunting and fishing: study.
Brazil’s actual forest-related CO2 emissions could blow by Paris pledge
Brazil is reporting its CO2 emissions within U.N. guidelines, but the nation’s true carbon releases due to forest degradation, wildfires and other key sources could be far higher.
Andes dams twice as numerous as thought are fragmenting the Amazon
Study: 142 existing and under construction Andean dams are fragmenting the Amazon, putting ecosystems at risk and impacting up to 30 million people. Another 160 dams are planned.
Drought-driven wildfires on rise in Amazon basin, upping CO2 release
Forest fires are no longer driven mainly by deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon, with climate change induced drought now taking a major role.
Natural World Heritage Sites in trouble, especially in the Tropics
A new assessment of UNESCO Natural World Heritage Sites found 35 percent with significant conservation concerns, or worse. Most are in the Tropics.
Selective logging reduces biodiversity, disrupts Amazon ecosystems: study
A new study of dung beetles offers evidence for the need to adopt new forestry practices creating a patchwork of highly logged sites and intact forest reserves.
Andes dams could threaten food security for millions in Amazon basin
Study warns that six hydroelectric mega-dams proposed for Andean highlands would put environment and food security at risk in Amazon basin.
Zero tolerance of deforestation likely only way to save Amazon gateway
Conservationists call for total halt to deforestation and implementation of sustainable agroforestry in Brazilian state of Maranhão.
Special series
Endangered environmentalists
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Indonesias forest guardians
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Amazon infrastructure
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Asian rhinos
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