The Amazon and the dangers it presents

Group of scientists have highlighted the importance of safeguarding the Amazon ecosystem, mainly its water channels.

A group of experts from the Florida International University, in the United States, have expressed concern about the future of the Amazon region in South America. This group of scientists have called the attention about the changes that are occurring in the natural water cycle and how they could impact the Amazon.

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The Amazonia has always gone through periods of drought or seasons of abnormally intense rain caused by the natural weather patterns of «El Niño” and now “La Niña”. However, the recent increase in extreme weather events has led researchers to take a closer look at the water cycles that connect the ocean. Atlantic with the mountain ranges Andes and other parts of Amazonas. It was then that they discovered that human activity would be gradually affecting the natural water cycle through the alteration of rivers, deforestation and climate change. It is not so surprising that human beings once again contribute negatively to the environment. The research was published by the journal PNAS from United States Academy of Sciences.

The Amazon River is the river that pours the most fresh water into the Atlantic Ocean, contributing more than 105,000 million liters of fresh water every minute. For years, scientists have talked about the importance of freshwater interconnectivity between the Andes mountain range and the Amazon lowlands. But it has not been until now that the importance of the Atlantic Ocean has been recognized. Through the publication, scientists try to raise people’s awareness about the Connectivity between the Andes, the Amazon and the Atlantic (AAA) with the hope that this route and freshwater resources will be taken into account more in the conservation of the Amazon. One of the scientists in charge said that «In this century, the number and extent of protected areas, such as national parks, reserves and officially recognized indigenous territories in the Amazon, have increased enormously, but attention has focused on forests and terrestrial ecosystems»he explained.

As global temperatures increase and the Amazon constantly faces deforestation, the chances of extreme climate events that contribute to the alteration of the cycle grow. The region has universal importance since it is home to 47 million people, It covers eight countries, its forests contribute to mitigating global climate change and it is the largest tropical forest that exists on Earth. In addition, it has a fifth of the world’s freshwater biodiversity, housing some of the most diverse collections of birds, mammals, amphibians and plants on the planet. Therefore, its conservation is vital for all beings.

The future of the Amazon and its ability to sustain the people, animals and plants that live there depends entirely on AAA connectivity. Therefore, conservation support needs to be expanded to freshwater systems. This request is what the experts highlight, officials and organizations need to be aware of what could happen if drastic measures are not taken to safeguard the Amazon.