Amazing efforts to save the dwindling Amazon Rainforests
The Amazon basin, spanning an area of over 7 million square kilometers includes the Amazon Rainforest spanning an area of approximately five and a half million square kilometers. It is an ecological treasure house playing an important part in maintaining the balance in Nature. The region includes territories of several nations with the majority of the area lying within Brazil. These rainforests are estimated to be over 55 million years old and a part of the slow evolution process. It is purported that following the extinction of the Dinosaurs the climate became more conducive for the spread of the rainforest across the continent.
Archaeological evidence obtained from the reports of the excavations at a site called Caverna da Pedra Pintada shows that human inhabitants first settled in the gigantic forests over 11000 years ago. The inhabitants were hunter-gatherers who sustained themselves primarily by hunting and trapping animals for food. Typically an area of roughly 10 square kilometers was required per person in order achieve sustenance and for the ecological balance to remain undisturbed. However, as the population increased the tribes started concentrating their efforts in agriculture and silviculture (enhancing and maintaining a healthy growth of forests in order to draw sustenance from the produces) Timber used to be harvested in a controlled manner to maintain the delicate balance and prevent large scale denudation of the precious forests. The existence of fertile black soil proves that agriculture was widely practiced applying indigenous soil management techniques. Organic farming was in practice long before it was given that name by present day conservationists.
The biodiversity found in this unique rainforest is unparalleled as one in ten of the world's known and documented species have made this vast area their home. Therefore the largest collection of living plants and animal species can be found only in this region in the entire world. The area boasts of millions of insect species and tens of thousands of plants and almost 2000 species of the winged variety which would definitely be an ornithologist's delight. The biodiversity of the plant species found in this area is considered to be the highest on the Earth with a concentration a thousand types of trees and thousands of other plants in one square kilometer. Of these, several thousand species bear economic and social interest. The green span provided by this foliage provides an excellent ground for maintaining the carbon balance between photosynthesis and respiration. The awe inspiring and largest snake the Anaconda is found in this region. The electric eels found in the rivers of this area carry electricity powerful enough to stun and sometimes kill as well.
Coming to the saddest part of it all is that extensive farming activities which could only be possible with denudation of large tracts of forest left most of the forests to be destroyed forever. As new areas had to be cleared for the sole purpose of farming at frequent intervals, the forested area began shrinking alarmingly. Satellites show telltale areas of naked tracts of land which have been rendered useless by this relentless deforestation. The resultant loss of biodiversity and subsequent release of carbon are causes of concern as they contribute directly to the acceleration of global warming.
It is indeed gratifying to note that a small band of people are doing their part to save their part of the world to ultimately save the entire world itself. They are the people belong to the dwindling tribe of people called the surui, and indigenous people who live in this area. These people (only 10% remain of the original population) surprisingly are using the latest technology to fight this menace effectively. Almir Narayamoga the chief of this dying tribe of lively people walked into the offices of a leading search engine service provider who also provide satellite mapping services. His request for assistance in stopping this denudation was well received and the tribe has been equipped with the latest equipment and connected through internet and have been enabled to keep vigilance over any illegal deforestation activities. A small band of determined people have shown the whole world that "where there is a will there has got to be a way". More programs on nature and environment are aired by popular service providers like Dish TV.
Randy Collins - About Author:
Randy Collins is a freelance writer who is a nature lover and is deeply concerned about conservation and loves to watch related programs on Dish Network
Article Source:
http://www.articleside.com/television-articles/amazing-efforts-to-save-the-dwindling-amazon-rainforests.htm
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