Climate

How would the Amazon react if it dried up? A 25-year-old field study has the answer

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Briefings

A 25-year field study in northern Brazil's Caxiuanã National Forest tested how the Amazon responds to extreme drought by installing 6,000 transparent panels to divert 50% of rainwater away from a 1-hectare plot. The experiment began in 2001, comparing the treated area to an undisturbed control plot. Researchers monitor soil moisture, tree growth, and sap flow using NASA radar data transmitted to California. The study reveals how the forest reshuffles to survive prolonged water stress.

Key points

• The Esecaflor Project is the longest-running scientific investigation of its kind in a tropical forest, running for 25 years since 2001.
• The experiment covers 1 hectare (2.5 acres) within Caxiuanã National Forest, with 6,000 transparent panels diverting 50% of rainwater away from the plot.

Context

This study investigates the Amazon's future under extreme drought conditions in a warming world, using a 25-year experiment in northern Brazil to understand forest resilience.

Limitations

Data is limited to the 25-year experiment period; long-term projections beyond this timeframe are not covered.

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