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In the Amazon Rainforest a new species is discovered WEEKLY; plants, insects, mammals, reptiles, amphibians of all kinds. And in one of the most diverse places on the earth, this reality isn’t so far fetched to wrap our minds around.
“To date, at least 40,000 plant species, 427 mammals, 1,300 birds, 378 reptiles, more than 400 amphibians, and around 3,000 freshwater fishes.”
The Amazon Rainforest is the LARGEST rainforest in the world, reaching about 2,300,000 square miles. This impressively large collection of trees and other living organisms is located in South America. About ⅔ of the rainforest is found in Brazil, but also covers parts of Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana.
The world map below shows a general comparison of how large the Amazon Rainforest is:
Rainforests are areas in the world that have tall trees and high levels of rainfall (or fog) each year. On every continent except Antarctica you will find a rainforest, BUT what kind?
There are two types of rainforests:
Temperate rainforests have very clear seasons each year and are found along coasts (like the Red Wood Forest). Where Tropical rainforests have much less defined seasons and is around the equator.
With the rainforest being close to the equator you might guess that it is hot… and you would be correct. On average there are 12 hours of sunlight per day, all year long. The climate ranges from 72-93°F (22-34°C) and combining that with 60-400 inches of rain, the average humidity is between 77-88%
Each year the Amazon Rainforest averages between 60 – 110+ inches (1,500 mm – 3,000+ mm) of rainfall and in some places MUCH more.
We also have to take a moment to highlight that the Amazon Rainforest has the second largest river in the world! Just behind the Nile River which is 4,132 miles is the Amazon River which is 4,000 miles in length. And is FULL of wildlife, such as; Amazon River Dolphin, Piranha, Giant Otter, Black Caiman, Electric Eel, Anaconda… the list goes on and not to mention all the animals that depend on this river for minerals and hydration.
Besides the millions of animals and plants, there are also native tribes living the Amazon Rainforest. People whose ancestors have called it their home for MANY years. The people who still live in the rainforest today are just a whisper of the past. Many tribes have scattered or even disappeared. But the communities that still live there are distinct, have their own languages and culture and uses much of the rainforest for food, medicine, clothing, and housing. They found a way to live harmonious with the other living things around them. Protectors of the forest, and in return the forest provides their needs.
But their way of life has been threatened along with much of the rainforest because of corporations, deforestation, and natural disasters that all started 500 years ago when the Europeans first discovered the area and people.
“During the last half century, the seemingly endless Amazon has lost at least 17% of its forest cover, its connectivity has been increasingly disrupted, and numerous endemic species have been subjected to waves of resource exploitation. The economic transformation of the Amazon based on the conversion and degradation of its natural habitat is gaining momentum. Yet, as those forces grow in strength, we are also finding that the Amazon plays a critical role in maintaining climate function regionally and globally, a contribution which everyone–rich or poor–depends on.” WWF
There are SO many reasons why the Amazon Rainforest is vital to the planet. Just to list a few:
The importance of places like the Amazon Rainforest is profound and it all stems from balance, not one species overpowering another. A lesson we can greatly learn from.
We have the ability to positively or negatively affect places like the Amazon Rainforest, from the things we buy or use, how we live our daily lives, who we support, and so on. Here are a few ways WE can change our habits and help this ancient forest live on:
Resources:
WWF: Why is the Amazon Important
National Geographic: Rainforest
World Atlas: What Types of Rainforest Are There
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