Como a Amazônia regula o clima do planeta

Summary

The Amazon rainforest, a crucial water vapor processor and climate regulator, plays a vital role in the global ecosystem by controlling carbon and water cycles through stomata in leaves. It stores vast amounts of carbon, and deforestation could exacerbate climate change. Despite recent deforestation and droughts, Brazil has made strides in reducing these activities and is committed to reforesting under the Paris Agreement. Sustainable development of the Amazon is possible and beneficial, supporting agriculture and mitigating climate change.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The Amazon rainforest acts as a significant water vapor processor and climate regulator for the Amazonian region.
• 🌿 The carbon and water cycles are regulated by stomata, tiny pores on tree leaves, which facilitate photosynthesis and release water vapor.
• 💧 The Amazon is a major source of water vapor, contributing to precipitation in Brazil and the global atmosphere.
• 🌳 The rainforest emits volatile organic compounds that lead to cloud nucleation and precipitation in the Amazon.
• 🌳🔄 The Amazon provides essential ecosystem services that help maintain the planet's climate.
• 🌲 Trees in the Amazon store approximately 100 gigatons of carbon, equivalent to a decade of global fossil fuel emissions.
• 🔥 Deforestation of the Amazon would release this stored carbon into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change.
• 🔥🇧🇷 In 2019, Brazil experienced extensive deforestation and fires, leading to the release of greenhouse gases and aerosol particles.
• 🌳🔥 Deforestation is permanent, as the destruction of the rainforest's biome makes recovery of biodiversity and ecosystem services unlikely.
• 🌡️ The Amazon is under additional stress due to global warming and has experienced severe droughts, impacting its ability to absorb carbon.
• 📉 Brazil has made progress in reducing deforestation and has committed to ending deforestation and reforestation as part of the Paris Agreement.
• 💡 Sustainable development of the Amazon is possible and can be profitable, as shown by projects funded by the Amazon Fund, and can help mitigate global climate change.

Q & A

What role does the Amazon rainforest play in the water cycle?

The Amazon rainforest functions as a major source of water vapor, irrigating agribusiness in central Brazil and the country's southern regions, and contributing to the global atmosphere's water vapor through convection in the tropical region.

How does the Amazon rainforest contribute to the climate of the Amazonian region?

Scientists believe that the Amazon rainforest itself controls the climate of the entire Amazonian region, regulating the rain and carbon cycles through the stomata on tree leaves.

What is the process by which plants release water vapor into the atmosphere?

During photosynthesis, plants open their stomata to intake carbon dioxide, and in the process, release water vapor into the atmosphere.

What are volatile organic compounds and how do they affect the atmosphere?

Volatile organic compounds are gases emitted by the Amazon rainforest that are highly reactive in the atmosphere, leading to cloud nucleation and contributing to precipitation in the Amazonian region.

What ecosystem services does the Amazon rainforest provide?

The Amazon rainforest provides essential ecosystem services such as maintaining the planet's climate, regulating water and carbon cycles, and storing vast amounts of carbon.

How much carbon is stored by the trees and roots of the Amazon rainforest?

The trees and roots of the Amazon rainforest store approximately 100 gigatons of carbon, equivalent to 10 years' worth of worldwide fossil fuel burning.

What are the consequences of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest?

Deforestation in the Amazon releases stored carbon into the atmosphere, exacerbating the critical climate condition of our planet, and the destruction of the biome makes it unlikely for the rainforest to recover its biodiversity and ecosystem services.

How much primary rainforest was deforested and burned in Brazil in 2019?

In 2019, 9,750 square kilometers of primary rainforest in Brazil were deforested and burned, leading to the production of greenhouse gases and aerosol particles affecting areas all over Brazil.

What was the impact of the droughts in 2005 and 2010 on the Amazon rainforest?

The droughts in 2005 and 2010 caused the Amazon rainforest to undergo significant stress, to the point where it began releasing carbon into the atmosphere instead of absorbing it.

What commitments has Brazil made regarding deforestation in the Amazon?

Brazil has committed to ending deforestation of the Amazon and reforestation of 12 million hectares across the country as part of the international commitments proposed in the Paris Agreement.

How can the Amazon rainforest be sustainably developed according to the script?

Experiments funded by the Amazon Fund have shown that sustainable development of the Amazon rainforest is possible and profitable, generating employment and promoting productivity in agriculture and livestock due to increased precipitation.