Precipitation Recycling and Deforestation in the Amazon: A Numerical Modeling Study

Abstract The regional model ETA of National Institute for Space Research (INPE) was used to assess the role of changes in the use and land cover in the recycling of rainfall in the Amazon basin through deforestation scenarios for the current state and future projections. Precipitation recycling southeast of increased north-northwest of the basin, with values ranging from 20% to 40%, is directly related to the intensification of the moisture transport in the east-west direction. Significant changes in recycling occurred in the scenarios 2050 and 2100, while for the current situation, the changes were not intense enough to affect the rainfall regime in the basin. Reductions in recycling precipitation (9% and 30% for the scenarios 2050 and 2100, respectively) were explained by reduction in the evapotranspiration and increased moisture transport; however, the reduction in evapotranspiration had a preponderant role. The reduction in the total precipitation was determined by reduction of advected precipitation (68%) and local (32%). If anthropogenic activities do not allow there environmental regeneration, climate-vegetation balance will be affected, leading to a warmer and dry condition, which in turn, will result in serious consequences for the Amazon ecosystems.