Weak Simulated Extratropical Responses to Complete Tropical Deforestation

The Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory atmosphere–land model version 2 (AM2/LM2) coupled to a 50-m-thick slab ocean model has been used to investigate remote responses to tropical deforestation. Magnitudes and significance of differences between a control run and a deforested run are assessed through comparisons of 50-yr time series, accounting for autocorrelation and field significance. Complete conversion of the broadleaf evergreen forests of South America, central Africa, and the islands of Oceania to grasslands leads to highly significant local responses. In addition, a broad but mild warming is seen throughout the tropical troposphere (<0.2°C between 700 and 150 mb), significant in northern spring and summer. However, the simulation [...]