Penn State researchers to improve Amazon Rainforest hydrology models

Scientists at Penn State University are developing a more accurate hydrologic model of the Amazon Rainforest, according to a release. Their work is supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

With so much vegetation, researchers say the Amazon has usually been thought of as a carbon sink. But times of drought have shown that it may act instead as a source of carbon.

The researchers hope to nail down the specifics of the interactions that influence the forest’s role. The results of their work will likely be used in existing climate simulations and to create tools for evaluating extreme weather events.

Image: Amazon canopy (Credit: Fabrice Marr, Creative Commons)