A closer look at “2023–2024 El Niño Exposed 75% of Tropical Forests to Unprecedented Drought and Heat, Signa”, exactly as the source publishes it. The 2023–2024 El Niño subjected roughly 75% of the world's tropical forests to at least six months of simultaneous drought and heat never before recorded, according to a study published in Earth's Future. This extreme event, driven by elevated Pacific Ocean temperatures, pushed ecosystems in the Amazon, Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia beyond historical climate thresholds. Researchers warn that this is not an anomaly but a preview of conditions that could become routine within two decades if greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated.
The study underscores the vulnerability of tropical forests, which play a critical role in absorbing carbon dioxide and regulating global weather patterns. Prolonged heat and water stress can trigger tree mortality, increase fire risk, and reduce carbon storage, potentially accelerating climate change. This listing links straight to the original page, where the content is available in full.