Beyond Canopy Cover: How Tree Distribution Shapes Cloud Formation Across Africa

Vegetation plays a pivotal role in regulating climate and sustaining the hydrological cycle, with both the quantity and distribution of trees influencing surface and atmospheric processes. While the direct effects of vegetation on surface properties are well-documented, the indirect impacts of trees on clouds—especially those from trees outside the forest—are less explored, with spatial tree distribution often neglected. This study examines how tree cover, in terms of absolute coverage and spatial configuration, affects cloud formation over Africa. Our findings reveal distinct patterns of cloud sensitivity to tree cover changes across climatic zones and elevations, linked to energy partitioning during the day and land surface temperature disparities at night. Additionally, combining increases in tree cover and heterogeneity enhances cloud formation by 55.2% in tropical savannas compared to tree cover increase alone, underscoring the importance of strategic tree placement. This data-driven analysis enhances the understanding of vegetation-cloud interactions and provides valuable insights for tree restoration projects in Africa.