This global map shows areas where deforestation is causing more frequent extreme summers (in red) and less frequent extreme summers (in blue).

(NOAA)

At a Glance

New data from NOAA shows deforestation has doubled or even quadrupled the number of extreme summers in some parts of the world.This is especially the case in some regions of North America and Europe.Scientists hope the map will drive home the consequences of deforestation.

While it's far from the only reason for rising global temperatures, our summers would likely be less extreme if deforestation were reduced, according to new research from NOAA.

The data in the form of a map that shows which areas of the planet have hadsummers impactedmost by deforestation. In some regions, deforestation has doubled or even quadrupled the frequency of hot, dry summers, according to the study.

Some of the most extreme readings were found in North America and Europe, where the deepest reds are located on the map. Using land surface and atmospheric models, the scientists were able to find out just how much deforestation has led to more extreme summers.

(MORE: )

The findings certainly make sense. In areas where trees are being cut down, that means less shade and a reduced amount of evaporative cooling, according to the study. In some areas, this means an extremely hot, dry summer once every two or three years, whereas the norm used to be once every decade.

Conversely, there are some areas, like the tropics,where tree loss can cause net cooling, and many of those regions are reporting fewer extreme summers than in the past. But that's little consolation for parts of the world that have seen the number of extreme summers skyrocket.

The scientists said they hope the new models can be used by land managers in the future to better understand the consequences of deforestation in certain regions.