Effects of large-scale deforestation on precipitation in the monsoon regions: remote versus local effects.
In this paper, using idealized climate model simulations, we investigate the biogeophysical effects of large-scale deforestation on monsoon regions. We find that the remote forcing from large-scale deforestation in the northern middle and high latitudes shifts the Intertropical Convergence Zone southward. This results in a significant decrease in precipitation in the Northern Hemisphere monsoon regions (East Asia, North America, North Africa, and South Asia) and moderate precipitation increases in the Southern Hemisphere monsoon regions (South Africa, South America, and Australia). The magnitude of the monsoonal precipitation changes depends on the location of deforestation, with remote effects showing a larger influence than local effects. The South Asian Monsoon region is affected the most, with 18% decline in precipitation over India. Our results indicate that any comprehensive assessment of afforestation/reforestation as climate change mitigation strategies should carefully evaluate the remote effects on monsoonal precipitation alongside the large local impacts on temperatures.
Divecha Center for Climate Change & Center for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India dev@caos.iisc.ernet.in.
N
N
Devaraju
Divecha Center for Climate Change & Center for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
Govindasamy
G
Bala
Divecha Center for Climate Change & Center for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
Angshuman
A
Modak
D001272:Atmosphere; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D017753:Ecosystem; D007194:India; D038622:Internationality; D011891:Rain; D013696:Temperature; D014329:Tropical Climate
Hadley Cell movement; ITCZ shift; biogeophysical effects; deforestation; monsoon regions