Windthrows, in which trees are uprooted or broken by winds, play a key role on forest dynamics in Amazonian forests, where they are a major source of disturbance. These events range from single fallen trees to large gaps that can dramatically alter forest structure, composition, and carbon balance. Windthrows are more frequent and larger in the northwestern Amazon (Peru and Colombia) and the central Amazon (Brazil), with a predominant westward direction. This spatial variability is related to rainfall, surface elevation, and soil characteristics, which explain 20-50% of the variability in windthrow occurrence and size.

The impact of windthrows on forest biomass is substantial and likely to increase with climate change. Windthrows play a crucial role in forest dynamics and carbon storage in the Amazon. By integrating remote sensing data, field observations, and modeling approaches, we found that windthrows can lead to significant tree mortality and changes in forest structure. This, in turn, affects the carbon cycle by releasing stored carbon and altering forest capacity for carbon sequestration. Moreover, the frequency and intensity of windthrows may increase with more extreme weather events associated with climate change, potentially leading to more frequent and severe disturbances in Amazonian forests. This underscores the importance of incorporating windthrow-related disturbances into Earth system models to better predict future changes in forest biomass and carbon dynamics.