Mongabay.com is considered a leading source of information on tropical forests by some of the world's top ecologists and conservationists. TROPICAL RAINFORESTS: Imperiled Riches—Threatened Rainforests

Smoke from forest fires may delay rains

A recent study over Borneo found that certain types of heavy smoke may block precipitation in some areas while producing rain in others. Thus fires that would otherwise be extinguished burn longer by starving off rainfall. Smoky tropical clouds yield rain when they rish high enough for water freeze.


Recent studies by NASA scientists have found that heavy smoke from Amazon forest fires inhibits cloud formation and reduces rainfall. This finding, combined with other NASA studies suggesting that deforestation can affect regional climate, means that the Amazon rainforest may be on the verge of a significant environmental transformation.

Continued: Economic Restructuring


This article was written by Rhett A. Butler [bibliographic citation for this page] and was last updated on the most recent date listed in the column on the right side.



Other pages in this section:
A World Imperilled
Threats from Humankind
Economic Restructuring
Logging
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Kids version of this section
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Copyright Rhett Butler 1994-2011

"Rainforest" is used interchangeably with "rain forest" on this site. "Jungle" is generally not used.