Amazon rainforest losing its ability to bounce back, scientists warn
The IndependentSign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Amazon rainforest is losing its ability to bounce back from extreme events, raising the spectre that this precious piece of the natural world is racing towards its “tipping point”. So-called climate tipping points are thresholds in Earth’s systems which, when crossed, could lead to cascading effects and irreversible change, for example, with the loss of the Amazon forest or the West Antarctic ice sheet. “The Amazon rainforest is a highly complex system, so it’s very difficult to predict if and when a tipping point could be reached,” says Dr Chris Boulton, of Exeter’s Global Systems Institute. “This gives new compelling evidence to support efforts to reverse deforestation and degradation of the Amazon to give it back some resilience against ongoing climate change,” said Prof Lenton.