Chambers and Artaxo 2017
Chambers and Artaxo 2017
Chambers and Artaxo 2017
BIOSPHERE–ATMOSPHERE INTERACTIONS
T
he average size of cleared areas in
the Amazon (pictured) has increased
over many regions since the 1980s.
Deforestation modifies regional moisture
cycling as it reduces the amount of water
returned to the atmosphere by trees, but
hydroclimatic impacts depend on both the
spatial extent of deforested areas and how
these surface changes affect atmospheric
circulation1. Past observational and
modelling studies have examined the effects
of small-scale or large-scale deforestation,
but the climatic effects of scale transitions
have been little explored. Now, writing
As Khanna et al. note2, additional work between modelling and measurement USA. Paulo Artaxo is at the Institute of Physics,
is needed to demonstrate how generalizable scientists are needed to ensure that model University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-091, Brazil.
these results are for other regions within results can be causally and empirically linked e-mail: jqchambers@berkeley.edu; artaxo@if.usp.br
the Amazon, as well as the tropical forests to the appropriate underlying mechanisms.
of Africa and southeast Asia. It is also Land–atmosphere dynamics are References
necessary to determine whether these notoriously challenging, and improved 1. Wright, I. R. et al. Towards a GCM Surface Parameterization of
Amazonia, in Amazonian Deforestation and Climate 473–503
mechanisms are constrained to the dry regional predictions will require further (Wiley, 1996).
season. Given the nonlinear and complex elucidation of how interacting processes, 2. Khanna, J., Medvigy, D., Fueglistaler, S. & Walko, R.
interactions influencing precipitation, such as those highlighted by Khanna et al., Nat. Clim. Change http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nclimate3226 (2017).
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rigorous evaluations of the underlying result in shifting weather patterns that 4. Davidson, E. A. et al. Nature 481, 321–328 (2012).
model mechanisms are also needed against affect precipitation, carbon balance, and 5. Wang, J. et al. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 106, 3670–3674 (2009).
comprehensive sets of field data. The Large- everyday lives. ❐ 6. D’Almeida, C. et al. Int. J. Climatol. 27, 633–647 (2007).
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Scale Biosphere Atmosphere Experiment & Rodriguez, D. A. Geophys. Res. Lett. 38, L12703 (2011).
in Amazonia continues in Brazil (http:// Jeffrey Q. Chambers is at the Department of 8. Fu, R. et al. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 110, 18110–18115 (2013).
lba2.inpa.gov.br) and may provide useful Geography, University of California Berkeley, 9. Gloor, M. et al. Global Biogeochem. Cycles 29, 1384–1399 (2015).
datasets to further develop these important California 94720, USA and Lawrence Berkeley
model benchmarks. Improved collaborations National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, Published online: 20 February 2017
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