THE Amazon rainforest stores the equivalent of almost two years of global carbon emissions, but its role as a carbon sink is under threat, according to a new study.

Following an analysis of satellite data provided by the Planet company, the US-based Amazon Conservation Association has concluded that, with deforestation, the rainforest could start contributing more carbon than it absorbs from the atmosphere.

Researchers found Amazon trees held 56.8 billion metric tons of carbon above ground in 2022. That is 64.7 million metric tons more than in 2013, they said, making the Amazon a carbon sink over the last decade.