Deforestation is a well-known cause of temperature increases in local areas, but a new study published on Tuesday suggests a broader impact on monsoon rains. In addition to releasing carbon dioxide, deforestation alters the amount of reflected light and atmospheric moisture, affecting plant transpiration. Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore utilized a model to simulate atmosphere circulation, photosynthesis, transpiration, ocean surface warming, and ice melt. The authors aimed to understand the effects of large-scale deforestation on monsoon rainfall, conducting three experiments in tropical, temperate, and high-latitude regions by removing all trees. Deforestation in cooler climates has altered atmospheric circulation, causing monsoon rains to shift southward. This has led to a decrease in precipitation in the northern hemisphere monsoon regions, including East Asia, North America, North Africa, and South Asia, and an increase in rainfall in the southern hemisphere monsoon regions, such as South Africa, South America, and Australia. The study suggests that deforestation in mid- and high-latitudes can have a greater impact on tropical rainfall than deforestation in tropical regions. The South Asian monsoon region would be the most affected, experiencing an 18 percent decrease in precipitation over India. The authors emphasize the importance of considering remote impacts on rainfall when evaluating the climate benefits of tree planting initiatives in deforested areas. The research pointed out that the amount of land dedicated to growing crops and raising livestock has risen on a global scale, going from 620 million hectares in the 1700s to 4,690 million hectares in 2000. This now accounts for about a third of the world's total land surface area.