Tropical forests are losing trees at unprecedented rates, and a surprising culprit has emerged: intense thunderstorms that are growing more frequent due to climate change.
Deforestation has long been known as the leading cause of forest loss. However, intact tropical forests are also seeing increased tree mortality. Until recently, scientists blamed drought, heat, and fire. But a new paper led by forest ecologist Evan Gora suggests thunderstorms may be equally or even more important.
Powerful Storms Are Toppling Mature Trees and Disrupting Carbon Storage
Unlike hurricanes, convective thunderstorms are short-lived but highly destructive, producing fierce winds and lightning that can snap massive trees.
Gora and his colleagues analyzed decades of data and discovered that storms likely account for 30 to 60% of all tropical tree deaths. Shockingly, this makes them at least as influential as drought and heat in explaining tree mortality patterns.
As storm activity increases by 5 to 25% every decade, the threat to biodiversity and carbon storage is growing rapidly.
Why Tree Mortality in Tropical Forests Matters for the Planet
Tropical forests are often called the lungs of the Earth because they absorb huge amounts of carbon dioxide.
When trees die, they release that stored carbon back into the atmosphere, intensifying climate change. This creates a dangerous feedback loop that accelerates warming and fuels even more destructive storms.
Lead researcher Gora emphasized that understanding why trees die is essential for designing effective conservation and reforestation strategies.
Thunderstorms Have Been Overlooked in Climate Models and Policies
Despite their destructive power, thunderstorms were rarely included in global climate models or policy discussions about forest conservation.
Part of the problem is that their damage is highly localized and difficult to detect with satellites. Moreover, scientists have traditionally focused on drought and temperature stress, which are easier to monitor across large regions.
However, as Gora’s team reanalyzed existing data, it became clear that omitting storms could lead to critical errors in understanding carbon loss trends.
New Technologies Are Helping Scientists Track Storm Damage More Accurately
To address these gaps, Gora and colleagues launched the Gigante project. They are combining drone surveys, lightning detection systems, and field teams to map storm impacts in unprecedented detail.
By identifying when and where trees die and which species are most vulnerable, scientists can create more accurate predictions and management plans for the future.
The Urgent Need for a More Holistic View of Tropical Forest Threats
Tropical forests already face many pressures, including logging, fires, and climate change. Adding storms to the list of threats highlights the urgency of protecting these ecosystems.
If forest managers base decisions on incomplete data, they risk planting trees that cannot withstand future storms. Since storms mainly kill mature trees, the consequences may not be visible for decades.
Protecting Tropical Forests Demands Better Data and Smarter Policies
Understanding the true causes of tropical tree death is vital for sustaining biodiversity and fighting climate change.
As Gora noted, building a holistic picture of threats will help ensure reforestation and conservation efforts are effective over the long term. Only then can tropical forests continue to act as a powerful buffer against global warming.