The Amazon
The cradle of biodiversity
Where and what is it?
How is it important?
Native Fauna and Flora
Amazon RIver Dolphin
Giant Otter
Tarsier
Brazil Nut Tree
Cacao Tree
Orchids
A Few Resources
Cinchona Trees
Rosewood
Rubber Latex
What is happening?
A popular method of deforestation is called "slash and burn," where plants are cut down and burned, hence the name. Since removing trees means less CO2 filtering and burning creates CO2, slash-and-burn essentially fuels global warming which is also a threat to global warming. The absence of trees also prevents the soil from being kept in place by roots, causing the loss of fertile soil and bringing about more land and mudslides.
The destruction of the Amazon means that endangered and indigenous species that live in the forest are losing their habitat and face the risk of extinction.
How are we helping?
Citations
Image 3 http://www.wildernessclassroom.com/amazon/1.jpg
Image 4 http://www.earthtimes.org/newsimage/tarsier-secret-squeaking_0922012.jpg
Image 5 http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/community-fair-trade/brazil-nut/Brazil1.jpg
Image 6 http://embracetheamazon.org/foster/wp-content/uploads/sites/76/2014/06/Cacao-Pods-On-Tree.jpg
Image 7 http://solarfountainblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Orchid-5.jpg
Image 8 http://www.alcoholprofessor.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/8-Year-old-Cinchona-Trees-Congo.jpg
Image 9 http://www.amazonexotichardwoods.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000002/T72663_th.jpg
Image 10 http://churchillandsmith.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Natural-Latex-Page-Pic_opt.jpg
Image 11 https://saraheford.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/fire_map.gif
By Seth McElfresh