The Relationship between Forest Cover Loss and Annual Rainfall in the Departments of Peru, 2013-2022

Abstract

Forest masses participate in the hydrological cycle and precipitation patterns. Therefore, the loss of these forest masses has significant implications for atmosphere-surface dynamics. The objective of this article is to determine the influence of forest cover loss on annual rainfall in the departments of Peru during the period 2013-2022. The methodology was quantitative, use: longitudinal non-experimental design, with panel data and a random-effects model was estimated. The results reveal a positive and statistically significant relationship between tree cover loss and total annual precipitation, specifically, a 1% increase in deforestation is related to an average increase of 0.186% in annual rainfall. The findings contrast with most previous evidence documenting reductions in precipitation due to deforestation, however, they are consistent with some studies. The research concluded that there is a positive relationship between the loss of forest cover and annual rainfall in the departments of Peru during the period studied.