New study finds connection between rainfall and rise of CO2

Could potentially aid in upkeep of biodiversity hotspots in future

IH News Desk

NATIONAL, July 03, 2024: A new study by Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) has found that the global increase in greenhouse gases can decrease rainfall in the equatorial region leading to vegetation shift and the replacement of India's biodiversity hotspots into deciduous forests.

The study used fossil pollen and carbon isotope data from the Eocene Thermal Maximum 2 (ETM-2), a period of global warming around 54 million years ago, to quantify the terrestrial hydrological cycle during that period. The Indian plate lingered near the equator during this period, making the Indian plate a perfect natural laboratory for understanding the vegetation-climate relationship near the equator during ETM-2.

The researchers collected fossil pollen from the Panandhro Lignite Mine of Kutch in Gujarat and found that when atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration was more than 1000 ppmv near the palaeo-equator, rainfall decreased significantly, leading to the expansion of deciduous forests. This study raises important questions about the survival of equatorial and tropical rainforests, and biodiversity hotspots under increased carbon emissions, aiding in the future conservation of these hotspots.

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