The Amazon Rainforest is known "the lungs of the planet". However, it now releases more carbon dioxide than it absorbs. This is the conclusion of a study recently (publish) in the journal Nature. For the study, scientists took 590 (fly) over the Amazon.
So what has gone wrong? There are (clear) fewer trees taking in carbon dioxide. More than 17 percent of the trees in the Amazon have disappeared since the 1970s. Meanwhile, farmers get rid of the trees by (burn) them. Huge amounts of carbon monoxide(一氧化碳) are released into the air in the process.
The really worrying thing, however, is the southeastern part of the Amazon. This is because the logging(伐木作业) has disturbed the balance of nature. Fewer trees means (little) moisture (水分) in the air, makes the air drier. The heat causes forest fires to spread more easily. As a result, more trees are killed.
For the Amazon to become "the lungs of the planet" again, we first need to end forest fires. It sounds possible but it won't be easy. 2018, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has encouraged people to develop land in the Amazon. If he doesn't change his mind, scientists say, large parts of the rainforest could (turn) into savannahs (稀树草原) by 2026.
