The Amazon is a very distinctive region. It is the most biologically
diverse region on Earth, with the biggest rain forest, rivers, and river
systems. Millions of species, the majority of which have not yet been
described, are present.
The freshwater and forest systems of the Amazon are both in danger. In 69
percent of the Amazon forest since 2000, rainfall has decreased. According to
WWF, if the current rate of deforestation continues, by 2030 27 percent of the
Amazon biome will be devoid of trees. The Amazon needs to be protected and
conserved, but WWF has been working to do so.
1. What Kinds of Creatures Can you Find in the Amazon?
Sloths, black spider monkeys, and poison dart frogs live in the Amazon, which is one of the last remaining habitats for jaguars, harpy eagles, and pink river dolphins.
It has more than 370 different species of reptiles, 40,000
plant species, and one out of every ten species known to exist on Earth. Since
1999, more than 2,000 new plant and vertebrate species have been discovered,
including a monkey that purrs like a cat.
2. How Many Nations Does the Amazon Encompass?
Eight nations make up this enormous area, which is roughly two-thirds the
size of the US: Guyana, Suriname, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia,
Venezuela, and French Guiana's overseas territory. The Amazon basin spans 2.6
million square miles and is made up of 1.4 billion acres of dense forests, half
of the world's remaining tropical forests, 4,100 miles of winding rivers, and
other natural features. It covers about 40% of South America.
3. What Types of Birds are Present in the Amazon?
The Amazon is one of the bird kingdoms with the greatest diversity, with
over a thousand different species of birds living there, including
hummingbirds, macaws, hoatzins, and channel-billed toucans. Macaws, a symbol of
the Amazon, are incredibly intelligent and sociable birds that live in groups
of 10 to 30 other birds. They can live up to 60 years and mate for life. Even
some animal species can mimic human speech. However, deforestation and the
illegal pet trade pose threats to macaws.
4. What Makes the Amazon Important?
In the Amazon, more than 30 million people, including 350 indigenous and
ethnic groups, rely on nature for their agriculture, clothing, and traditional
medicines. The condition of the Amazon is directly related to the state of the
planet. The 90–140 billion tons of carbon that the rain forests hold contribute
to the stabilization of both regional and global climate. Additionally, the
Amazon releases 7 trillion tons of water into the atmosphere annually, and its
forests recycle between 50 and 75 percent of the rainfall that falls there.
5. What Dangers Exist for the Amazon?
Numerous threats exist for the Amazon, such as deforestation brought on
by extensive cattle ranching and agricultural expansion, poorly designed
infrastructure, unsustainable and illegal resource extraction, and climate
change.
6. What Steps is the WWF taking to Safeguard the Amazon?
For more than 40 years, WWF has worked to preserve and protect the
Amazon. When it comes to soy farming, cattle ranching, hydropower, illegal and
unsustainable logging, and infrastructure, WWF works to address the causes of
deforestation.
7. What does the Program for Amazon Region Protected Areas entail?
With the goal of preserving 150 million acres of the Brazilian Amazon,
WWF and our partners introduced Project Finance for Permanence in Brazil. We
collaborated with both public and private organizations to raise $215 million
for the establishment, fusion, and upkeep of a network of 114 protected areas.
The network, which goes by the name of the Amazon Region Protected Areas
program, is almost three times bigger than all of the national parks in the US
put together.
Presently, WWF is putting the same strategy to the test for the protected
area systems in a number of other nations, including Bhutan, Peru, and
Colombia, which are crucial for conservation.
8. What Effects is Climate Change Having on the Amazon?
The networks of water and forests that support wildlife are at risk from
climate change. Droughts of historic proportions have been caused by higher
temperatures and less rain. In 2005 and 2010, the Amazon experienced the worst
droughts in 100 years. Long dry spells ruin fisheries, destroy crops, and cause
forest fires. This may cause significant changes in the composition of
ecosystems and the extinction of some species. In order to ensure that nearby
wildlife areas can adapt to a warmer world, WWF works with farmers to protect
their crops from heavy rains and droughts.
9. What can be Done to Safeguard the Amazon?
You can support the preservation of the Amazon in a variety of ways. You
can inform your family and friends about the value of the Amazon. You can learn
to be a discerning shopper by learning how your food and other purchases are
made and by choosing FSC-labeled goods. You can lessen both your use of fossil
fuels and your environmental impact. By telling their stories and bringing up
environmental issues, you can also advocate for the Amazonian peoples.
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