Bremen researchers examine the secret consequences of the Amazon Dürre

Bremen researchers examine the secret consequences of the Amazon Dürre

The Amazona is not only the most powerful flow on earth, but also a sensitive indicator of the health of our planet. A team led by Professor Andrea Koschinsky from Constructor University from Bremen recently carried out an exciting study on the effects of climate change and extreme weather conditions in the area of ​​the Amazon. In December 2024, the group went on a five-week expedition with the research ship Meteor after the trip was delayed due to the Covid 19 pandemic and a customs strike in Brazil. This expedition was a valuable opportunity to collect data because it took place after a particularly strong drought that had been hit by the region. [Weser Kurier] (https://www.weser-kurier.de/bremen/stadt- Vegesack/amazonasforschung-bremer-Team-Teight-Duerre- Duerreffäle- Doc80twqdlmhafr94KN7XK) reports that the international research group on the Wesermarsch in Northern Germany discovered, in particular regarding the topic of salt content and Nutrient supply.

What makes the situation in the Amazon so dramatic? Quite simply: the Amazon rainforest has been experiencing the worst drought for over 50 years. This attributes a current study to climate -related changes and emphasizes that climate change increases the likelihood of such drought periods many times over. Sigma Earth emphasizes that the regulation of the rainforest makes the region more susceptible to extreme weather events. The Rio Negro was described as "extraordinary" over the past year because it has recorded the lowest water level for over 100 years. This has an impact on biodiversity, but also on the millions of people who rely on this flow.

The effects of the drought

The drought has an impact on many areas. For example, the salt content in the river mouths of the Amazon region, especially in the mangrove forests, is surprisingly high - twice as high as usual. This could provide information about the changes that also affect our salt marchs in the Wesermarsch. These findings are not only relevant locally, but also throw a shadow on global climate stability as they are in an article by SPIEGEL is outlined. If the climate in Germany continues to heat up quickly, increased drought period can be expected, which makes the need for urgent measures clear.

How is these challenges react? Constructor University has already launched a new course in order to meet the requirements in environmental research. Koschinsky plans to present the research results at conferences in order to sensitize decision -makers in politics and science. These approaches are urgently needed, because the deforestation has destroyed about a fifth of the Amazon rainforest in the past 50 years, and the forecasts indicate that extreme droughts could occur every 13 years if the global warming is inappropriate.

The expedition in the Amazon shows that there is still a lot to do in science. Professor Koschinsky and her team are determined to plan further trips to the region in order to get a deeper understanding of climate change and its effects on this precious habitat. If we want to protect the health of the Amazon, the next steps are obvious: Education, sensitization and specifically implementable measures are necessary to avert the impending dangers.