Amazon forest fires increase risks to biodiversity and carbon absorption

Forest fires in the Amazon are causing significant environmental damage through both direct emissions and indirect chemical processes. Satellite monitoring and field observations from October 2026 indicate an increase in fire outbreaks in critical areas of the Amazonas region, driven by seasonal droughts, land-use practices, and forest fragmentation.

Beyond the immediate destruction of habitat and threats to indigenous and riverside communities, a study published in ‘Communications Earth & Environment’ highlights a critical secondary impact: the formation of tropospheric ozone. This pollutant, created when sunlight triggers chemical reactions between gases released by fires, penetrates plant leaves and impairs photosynthesis.

Research conducted by scientists from Brazil and the United Kingdom, including experts from the University of São Paulo, reveals that this ozone-induced damage reduces the forest's ability to absorb carbon dioxide. This effect increases total carbon losses by approximately 24% compared to the direct emissions caused by the flames alone, exacerbating the impact of droughts on the ecosystem.