Amazon Rainforest Loses 97 Million Hectares, Risks Rainfall Disruption

• The Amazon has lost 97 million hectares of primary forest by 2025.
• Most forest loss is attributed to human activity, particularly land clearing and fires.
• Disruptions to moisture pathways during dry seasons raise critical concerns for the ecosystem.
• A strong El Niño expected in late 2026 could exacerbate these issues and increase fire risks.
• Deforestation levels in Brazil’s Amazon and Cerrado savanna reached the lowest rate ever recorded between August 2025 and July 2026.