Abstract ID: 401

Impact of Deforestation using Atmospheric Model and Dynamic Vegetation Model

Simulations using the atmospheric model BRAMS (Brazilian Regional Atmospheric Modeling System) include the dynamics vegetation model GEMTM (General Energy and Mass Transport Model) were performed to study the impact of deforestation on climate of the Amazon region due mainly the region called “Arc of Deforestation”. We investigated the impacts caused by the Arc of Deforestation in relation to forest intact, as well as the changes on land used caused by the advance of deforestation to the year of 2050. The conditions contour at surface were used considering the scenarios from empirical models of deforestation for the years 2002 and 2050. The advance of area of Arc of Deforestation by 2050 has a complex relationship with the variables analyzed. The precipitation showed distribution heterogeneous, with areas of positive and negative anomalies that were consistent with the anomalies of other variables, such as evapotranspiration and divergence of moisture. Some regions showed the possible influences of the great rivers and topography of the region on precipitation distribution. The balance of radiation and energy has been affected by deforestation, due to the change of the surface albedo, occurred by the replacement of the forest for pasture. Comparing the climate simulated for the actual arc of deforestation and that observed for intact forest we observed all atmospheric variables was affect by deforestation mainly in region affected by actual deforestation. However to scenario of 2050 when the arc of deforestation was enlarged this impacts reaching the whole amazon region.

Session:  Feedbacks to Climate - Effects of deforestation on regional and global climate.

Presentation Type:  Poster