Amazon rainforest is heating up—and it's not good news
The Amazon is shifting into a "hypertropical" climate, with hotter days and way longer droughts, all thanks to rising greenhouse gasses.
By 2100, some parts could see nearly five months of drought each year, putting its trees and wildlife at serious risk.
Droughts are stressing out the trees
A massive 30-year study found that these extended dry spells mess with how trees move water, making it harder for them to photosynthesize and store carbon.
Fast-growing trees are hit hardest, while slow-growers with tough wood stand a better chance.
The death rate for Amazon trees could jump by over 50%, which would shake up the whole forest ecosystem.
Why this matters for everyone
More tree deaths mean less carbon stored in the forest—and more released into the air—which can speed up climate change worldwide.
Scientists warn that similar patterns are popping up in other tropical forests too.
Protecting places like the Amazon isn't just about saving nature; it's key to our planet's future.