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Climate change patterns in Amazonia and biodiversity

Author

Listed:
  • Hai Cheng

    (Institute of Global Environmental Change, Xi’an Jiaotong University
    University of Minnesota)

  • Ashish Sinha

    (California State University Dominguez Hills)

  • Francisco W. Cruz

    (Instituto de Geociencias, Universidade de Sao Paulo)

  • Xianfeng Wang

    (University of Minnesota
    Earth Observatory of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University)

  • R. Lawrence Edwards

    (University of Minnesota)

  • Fernando M. d’Horta

    (Universidade de Sao Paulo)

  • Camila C. Ribas

    (Coordenação de Biodiversidade, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia 69060-001 Manaus, AM, Brazil)

  • Mathias Vuille

    (University at Albany)

  • Lowell D. Stott

    (University of Southern California)

  • Augusto S. Auler

    (Instituto do Carste, Belo Horizonte, MG–CEP 30150-170, Brazil)

Abstract

Precise characterization of hydroclimate variability in Amazonia on various timescales is critical to understanding the link between climate change and biodiversity. Here we present absolute-dated speleothem oxygen isotope records that characterize hydroclimate variation in western and eastern Amazonia over the past 250 and 20 ka, respectively. Although our records demonstrate the coherent millennial-scale precipitation variability across tropical–subtropical South America, the orbital-scale precipitation variability between western and eastern Amazonia exhibits a quasi-dipole pattern. During the last glacial period, our records imply a modest increase in precipitation amount in western Amazonia but a significant drying in eastern Amazonia, suggesting that higher biodiversity in western Amazonia, contrary to ‘Refugia Hypothesis’, is maintained under relatively stable climatic conditions. In contrast, the glacial–interglacial climatic perturbations might have been instances of loss rather than gain in biodiversity in eastern Amazonia, where forests may have been more susceptible to fragmentation in response to larger swings in hydroclimate.

Suggested Citation

  • Hai Cheng & Ashish Sinha & Francisco W. Cruz & Xianfeng Wang & R. Lawrence Edwards & Fernando M. d’Horta & Camila C. Ribas & Mathias Vuille & Lowell D. Stott & Augusto S. Auler, 2013. "Climate change patterns in Amazonia and biodiversity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-6, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:4:y:2013:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms2415
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2415
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    Cited by:

    1. Xiyu Dong & Gayatri Kathayat & Sune O. Rasmussen & Anders Svensson & Jeffrey P. Severinghaus & Hanying Li & Ashish Sinha & Yao Xu & Haiwei Zhang & Zhengguo Shi & Yanjun Cai & Carlos Pérez-Mejías & Jon, 2022. "Coupled atmosphere-ice-ocean dynamics during Heinrich Stadial 2," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-14, December.
    2. A. O. Sawakuchi & E. D. Schultz & F. N. Pupim & D. J. Bertassoli & D. F. Souza & D. F. Cunha & C. E. Mazoca & M. P. Ferreira & C. H. Grohmann & I. D. Wahnfried & C. M. Chiessi & F. W. Cruz & R. P. Alm, 2022. "Rainfall and sea level drove the expansion of seasonally flooded habitats and associated bird populations across Amazonia," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-15, December.
    3. Olga Laiza Kupika & Edson Gandiwa & Godwell Nhamo, 2019. "Green economy initiatives in the face of climate change: experiences from the Middle Zambezi Biosphere Reserve, Zimbabwe," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 21(5), pages 2507-2533, October.
    4. Carlos Mestanza-Ramón & Robinson J. Herrera Feijoo & Cristhian Chicaiza-Ortiz & Isabel Domínguez Gaibor & Rubén G. Mateo, 2021. "Estimation of Current and Future Suitable Areas for Tapirus pinchaque in Ecuador," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-14, October.
    5. G. Burch Fisher & Lisa V. Luna & William H. Amidon & Douglas W. Burbank & Bas Boer & Lennert B. Stap & Bodo Bookhagen & Vincent Godard & Michael E. Oskin & Ricardo N. Alonso & Erik Tuenter & Lucas J. , 2023. "Milankovitch-paced erosion in the southern Central Andes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.

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