The study, published February 14 in Nature by an international group of 20 researchers, suggests that "between 10 and 47 percent" of the Amazon's surface area "will be exposed to cumulative disturbances capable of triggering unexpected ecosystem transitions and exacerbating regional climate change."

Pressures from "higher temperatures," "extreme droughts," "deforestation," and "erosion" could push half of the Amazon to this "tipping point" or "threshold," potentially leading to a vicious cycle synonymous with the potential collapse of ecosystems.

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