Tropical forest restoration can offset water flux losses from deforestation but not everywhere

Tropical forest restoration is widely promoted as a nature-based climate solution, but its potential to restore hydrological functions impaired by deforestation remains unclear. Now, satellite observations show that forest gain can increase evapotranspiration and precipitation more than forest loss reduces them, with prominent asymmetry in South America and <a href="https://absafricatv.com/eu-trade-relations-with-west-africa/” title=”EU trade relations with West Africa”>Africa.

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This is a summary of: Ma, S. et al. Targeted tropical forest restoration can offset deforestation-induced water flux losses. Nat. Clim. Changehttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-026-02709-7 (2026).

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Tropical forest restoration can offset water flux losses from deforestation but not everywhere.
Nat. Clim. Chang. (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-026-02710-0

• Version of record:17 July 2026

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  :https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-026-02710-0