Brazil's Amazon Sees Historic Drop in Forest Fires
#GS-3 #Environment #Conservation #Biodiversity #Climate Change #GS-1 #Geography #Physical Geography
Why in News
- Forest fires in **Brazil's Amazon** have fallen to their **lowest level since records began in 1985**, showing a major recovery from **2024**.
- Key reasons for this drop include a **delayed rainy season**, **reduced deforestation**, and stronger local community monitoring.
- Most fires recorded in **2024** were **human-made**, caused by clearing land for agriculture, deforestation, and illegal mining activities.
- Scientists warn that a potential **Super El Niño** event could bring longer dry spells and increase the risk of future wildfires.
Key Facts About the Amazon Rainforest
- Covering roughly **6 million square kilometres** across **nine South American territories**, the Amazon is the largest tropical rainforest in the world.
- Nearly **60%** of this massive rainforest lies within the borders of **Brazil**.
- It spans the **Amazon River Basin**, which is recognized as the largest river basin on the planet.
- The forest is surrounded by the **Guiana Highlands** to the north, the **Andes Mountains** to the west, the **Brazilian Plateau** to the south, and the **Atlantic Ocean** to the east.
- High rainfall, intense humidity, and warm temperatures create ideal conditions for this dense tropical evergreen ecosystem.
- As a major biodiversity hotspot, the Amazon contains almost **10%** of all known animal and plant species on Earth.
- Notable plants include the **Brazil nut**, **rubber**, **mahogany**, **cedar**, and **rosewood**.
- Prominent wildlife species found here include the **jaguar**, **capybara**, **tapir**, **sloth**, **anaconda**, **caiman**, **toucan**, and **macaw**.
- Significant protected zones include **Yasuni National Park** in Ecuador, **Jaú National Park**, **Tumucumaque National Park**, and **Pico da Neblina National Park** in Brazil.
- Additional protected areas are **Manu National Park** and **Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve** in Peru, along with **Amacayacu National Natural Park** in Colombia.
- Often called the **"Lungs of the Earth,"** the rainforest acts as a critical **carbon sink** that helps stabilize the global climate.
- The **Amazon River** originates in the **Peruvian Andes**, serving as the largest river by discharge volume and the second longest river after the **Nile**.
- Major tributaries feeding into the main river include the **Rio Negro**, **Madeira**, and **Xingu**.