Tropical forests study finds small clearings drive most carbon loss

A Nature study reports that disturbances in tropical humid forests caused nearly 16 billion tonnes of carbon loss from 1990 to 2020, and that small-scale clearings — about 5% of disturbed area — accounted for 56% of net carbon losses.

Researchers published a study in Nature that quantified carbon changes in tropical forests from 1990 to 2020. The team combined sub-hectare satellite observations with new biomass recovery curves to track carbon at a 30-meter scale. They report that disturbances in tropical humid forests led to nearly 16 billion tonnes of carbon loss over the study period. Tropical dry forests showed an overall balance between losses and gains, linked mainly to wildfire and regrowth. Key findings: - Disturbances in tropical humid forests caused nearly 16 billion tonnes of carbon loss between 1990 and 2020. - Tropical dry forests showed an overall balance between losses and gains, attributed to wildfires and regrowth. - Small-scale clearings made up about 5% of disturbed area but accounted for 56% of net carbon losses. - The study used 30-meter satellite observations and biomass recovery curves and was published in Nature. Summary: The findings show that small clearings account for a large share of net carbon losses in tropical humid forests. Undetermined at this time.