Drought in Amazon : decline in biomass, big losses and mortality of the largest trees. The loss of ~ 40% of the total weight of the vegetation and the carbon stored within.... 🔆 What 24 Years of Drought Simulation in the Amazon Revealed ✅ About the Project: • The Esecaflor project (2000–present) is the world’s longest-running drought experiment in a rainforest. • Located in Caxiuana National Forest, scientists diverted 50% of rainfall using 6,000 plastic panels to mimic long-term drought. ✅ Key Findings: • After 8 years, the forest showed a sharp decline in biomass and 40% loss in vegetation weight. • Large trees suffered high mortality, leading to significant carbon release into the atmosphere. • The Amazon shifted from a carbon sink to a carbon emitter, losing its ability to absorb CO₂. ✅ Why It Matters: • Forest trees store the equivalent of 2 years of global carbon emissions. • Cutting or death of these trees due to drought accelerates climate change. • In extreme dry years (El Niño + climate change), impacts were most severe. ✅ Next Steps: • Scientists are now observing if the forest can regenerate and return to baseline post-drought. • The project helps predict future resilience of the Amazon amid changing climate patterns. #amazon #climatecrisis #forestdrought #carbonsink