The document summarizes climate change impacts and deforestation effects on the Amazon region's water cycle. It notes the Amazon Basin's extraordinary biodiversity but also describes increasing droughts and floods in recent decades. Deforestation levels and air temperatures are also rising in southern Amazonia. Climate and land cover changes could significantly affect both regional and global water cycles. Modeling shows deforestation impacts local and regional hydroclimatic connectivity between the Amazon and Andes. Conserving and restoring terrestrial and aquatic systems, along with scientific innovation, education, and governance strengthening, are needed to support a sustainable Amazon region.

1. The water cycle in the Amazon region facing climate change and
deforestation
Jhan Carlo Espinoza - IRD / IGE

2. The Amazon Basin: An extraordinary, unique, and irreplaceable biodiversity
• 2300 species of fish, more than can be found in the entire Atlantic Ocean
• >10% of the known plant and animal species
• Store ~130 billion metric tons of carbon (a decade of global emissions)
Andes
Cordillera
Amazon lowland
Atlantic Ocean

3. The Amazon River Basin:
One of the most critical elements of the Earth’s climate system
6600 km3
/yr
Sediments,
nutrients
Water contribution
from the forest
P=2200 mm/yr
6400 km3
/yr
Aerial rivers : 6,400 km3
/year of water to the
atmosphere
• A critical source of energy to the atmosphere
• Key conditions for the global energy and water balance
20% of the total
freshwater
discharged to
global oceans

4. Changes in the hydro-climatic regime of the Amazon Basin
Manaus
• Water levels in Manaus since 1902
Barichivich et al (2018)
• First half of the 20th century: 1 flood every 20 years
• Since 2000: 1 flood every 4 years
Extreme droughts
(<15.8m)
Extreme floods (>29m)
Water
levels
in
Manaus
(cm)
2021: Historical record flood
2010: Historical drought

5. τ
P
August-November
November-May
P
Espinoza et al., 2019 (1981-2017)
Rainfall trend
Changes in the hydro-climatic regime of the Amazon Basin
Q Min
Q
Q Max
Q
Heerspink et al., 2020. (1980-2014)

6. Changes in temperature and deforestation
Cortesía: JC. Jimenez-Muñoz
Wongchuig et al (in rev.)
Air temperature (1980-2020)
Deforested area in Amazonia (1992-2018) ±20%
Environmental changes in southern Amazonia:
• Increasing of duration of dry season
• Diminution in precip.
• Increase in temperature
• Increase of deforested area

7. A biophysical system in transition due to climate change and deforestation
How global warming and regional modification of land
cover could affect the regional and global water cycle?
(Including the tropical Andes)
Soares-Filho et al., 2006

8. 10 years (DJF) of High Resolution Regional Climate
Modeling WRF for the Andes-Amazon Transition Region
Deforestation impacts on Amazon-Andes hydroclimatic connectivity
Climate sensitivity to land use scenarios over Amazonia
Deforestation: Local and regional impacts due
to changes in atmospheric circulation
Changes induced by deforestation:
Changes induced by deforestation:

9. https://www.theamazonwewant.org/scientific-literature/
A strategy to support a Living Amazon is based on three pillars:
1) Measures to conserve, restore, and remediate terrestrial and
aquatic systems.
2) Developing innovations supported with investment in
science, education, and the creation of centers of excellence.
3) Strengthening Amazonian citizenship and governance.

10. Gracias
Jhan Carlo ESPINOZA
jhan-carlo.espinoza@ird.fr