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ISLAMABAD, Nov 10 (APP): Deforestation is causing temperature rises of up to 5°C in some tropical regions, according to a new study and online map developed by researchers at the University of Leeds.
The interactive tool, created by scientists from the university’s School of Earth and Environment, shows how tree loss across the tropics is intensifying local heat. It allows governments, conservationists and agricultural planners to explore how deforestation affects health, food security and productivity.
The map builds on peer-reviewed research led by Dr Carly Reddington and Professor Dominick Spracklen, which found that the loss of tropical forests has already exposed more than 300 million people to higher temperatures and is linked to an estimated 28,000 heat-related deaths every year.
“This local heating not only has important implications for human health, but also for water security, agriculture and climate resilience – especially for vulnerable communities across the tropics,” said Dr Reddington.
Forests play a crucial role in cooling the environment by providing shade, releasing moisture through evapotranspiration, and absorbing carbon dioxide. When forests are cleared, these natural cooling mechanisms are lost, leading to higher surface temperatures and worsening climate impacts.
The new map, hosted by the UK Met Office on its CSSP Brazil VIEWpoint website, illustrates how deforestation-driven warming varies by region. For example, forest loss in Brazil’s Rondônia state could lead to a temperature increase of about 2.1°C, while some parts of Southeast Asia and Africa could see warming of over 3°C. In Tanzania’s Katavi region, the temperature rise could exceed 5°C.
Dr Nike Doggart, who led the map’s development, said the launch coincides with COP30 in Belém, Brazil. “This is the first tool that enables decision-makers in tropical countries to visualise how deforestation directly affects their local climates,” she said. “By understanding these impacts, policymakers can better prioritise forest protection and climate adaptation.”
The initiative supports the Tropical Forests Forever Facility, a new Brazil-led programme backed by the UK Government, which aims to protect tropical communities from extreme heat.
Dr Andy Hartley from the Met Office said the map highlights how forests help provide vital ecosystem services. “Protecting and restoring forests could be one of the most effective local strategies for adapting to rising temperatures,” he said.
Dr Ali Nawaz, Founding Director of the Snow Leopard Foundation Pakistan, said the tool had global relevance. “It’s a valuable resource for education, conservation planning and climate action. Similar tools should be adapted for other ecosystems around the world,” he added.
The research forms part of the Climate Science for Services Partnership (CSSP) Brazil, a UK–Brazil collaboration funded through the UK Government’s International Science Partnerships Fund.
The map and accompanying research paper, “Tropical deforestation is associated with considerable heat-related mortality”, were published in Nature Climate Change.