Introduction
What comes to your mind when you think of forests? Rich trees, flowing rivers and wild animals, right? But do you know how much the forests give us? From food to fuel, these forests are the ones that provide us with everything. They also have the biggest hand in giving the most important oxygen to live and apart from that, a lot like nourishment, water and shelter. These forests give us without asking, that is, in our life. Forests play a very important role.
So why don’t we learn about the largest tropical rainforest of our earth today? You must have heard of its name because it is so famous and its name is Amazon Rainforest. Rainforest because it is such a forest where heavy rain happens. And the name Amazon is because the Amazon River flows from this rainforest.
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The Origins of the Name ( Amazon Rainforest )
The reason behind the name Amazon is also no less interesting. Because this name is taken from a Greek myth, which talks about a powerful female warrior race and inspired by them, this name was given to the Amazon River because of this river, the Amazon rainforest also got its name. This Amazon rainforest is also known as the Amazon jungle and Amazonia.
Geographical Expanse
The largest tropical rainforest on Earth is located in South America and covers an area of about 5.4 million square kilometers. By knowing this, you must be guessing how far it is spread. It is a very beautiful and green forest, but the present dangers and secrets are no less. That is why it has been understood that very few parts of this forest have been seen so far.
This rainforest lies within the borders of nine countries, of which 60% is in Brazil and the rest is spread in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela and French Guiana countries. The scope of this forest is so vast that if it were a country, its size would make it the ninth largest country.
Importance to the Ecosystem
We all know how important it is to keep the balance of the ecosystem to keep this ecosystem regulated, Amazon plays an active role. In this jungle, we get about 20% oxygen, which is a very large part. Imagine that the whole world is taking oxygen, its 20% is coming from the Amazon rainforest. So in this case, it is very easy to understand that this rainforest is so important for our survival.
That’s why they are also called the lungs of the planet. This rainforest, which gives oxygen, has about 76 billion tons of carbon stored in it. It absorbs a heavy amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. That’s why it is also called a carbon sink. Not only that, It also releases 20 billion tons of water every day in the atmosphere. In this way, it plays a very major role in balancing the global and regional carbon and water cycles.
The Dense Canopy
This jungle is so dense that it cannot reach the surface of the sun. That’s why there is deep darkness here. Large leaves trees mostly block the sunlight and only 1% of the light reaches the ground. The rain water also takes 10 minutes to reach the ground due to these big leaves.
The Amazon River
The Amazon River passes through this rainforest, which is the second longest river in the world after the Blue River. According to Aytan, the Amazon River is the longest river. Its length is 6400 km and it is the longest river in the world, French and Suriname. Of these, the most area of this river comes to Brazil because most of the Amazon rainforest is also in this country.
It flows eastward from the Andes mountain range in Peru and is found in the Atlantic Ocean. This river is known for its fresh water and volume. It is home to more than 300 species of fish. It also has crickets, whales and dolphins. Amazon River Dolphin is unique in itself. It is also called Pink River Dolphin and Boto, which can be seen as a unique experience.
How can you experience seeing Anaconda? You think, because it also lives in this river. This river is very big, but there is no bridge on it. Because the areas from which this river flows and comes out are some of the less populated areas, which do not need a bridge. And there are more populated areas, there are many more facilities to go from one side to the other. The soil on the banks of this river is much softer than other rivers, so even if it is thought of making a bridge on it, it will not be that easy. It is because of all these reasons that no bridge has yet been built on the Amazon River.
Biodiversity Hotspot
We learned a lot about the Amazon River flowing from the Amazon Rainforest. This is why we now know about the animals and plants living in this rainforest. This jungle is home to many plants and animals. Here, such plants and animals are also found, which are endemic and endangered.
You know, if there is a place on earth that is most biologically diverse, then it is Amazon because here, there are so many species of plants, birds and animals that we cannot even imagine. There are also some of these species that can only be seen in this jungle.
By the way, you will be surprised to hear that this rainforest is the home of 2.5 million insect species. Anaconda lives here, so this is also the area of jaguar. Apart from them, there are harpy eagles, pink river dolphins, sloths, black spider monkeys and poison dart frogs. 370 types of reptiles are found here. Now you understand how dangerous it can be to step here.
Poisonous snakes, beautiful birds also live here because there are about 1300 species of birds found here. Among them, hummingbirds, channel-billed toucans, hodgson and macaws are just a few of them. And the trees and plants that make this forest green, more than 40,000 species of them are found here.
Most of these plant species are medicinal properties, so this rainforest can also be called a storehouse of medicines. And chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, coffee and pepper also grow in this rainforest. And we need them in our daily food. That is, this rainforest provides everything from food to medicine.
But this jungle is not friendly for agriculture, because in the soil of this jungle, minerals are found in a very small amount.
Indigenous Communities
This rainforest is not just the home of trees, plants, birds and animals, but many species also consider it their home. Among them, such species that live on the banks of rivers are in contact with the rest of the world. They know how to farm, grow fruits and vegetables. Because of being expert in hunting, it also hunts animals with its made arrows and arrows. But there are also some species that do not want to make contact with the outside world. and prefer to live inside the Amazon rainforest. Most of these species are omnivorous.
Did you see? The Amazon rainforest gives shelter to everyone, be it humans or animals. It doesn’t matter. It just comes to give.
Economic Importance
This rainforest also helps to improve South America’s GDP. Because about 70% of South America’s GDP comes from the areas that get water from this rainforest.
The Role of Sahara Desert
So the rainforest that helps so many people to grow this rainforest is Sahara Registan, which works like a fertilizer. The dust from this desert flies with the air and comes to this jungle, it is full of phosphorus and it helps the Amazon rainforest to grow.
Now knowing this, it is understood that nature knows how, where and how to send help. That’s when the sand of Sahara reaches to help Amazon. And Amazon is helping so many people.
Threats to the Rainforest
We humans, what are we doing? Climate change, forest cutting and agriculture expansion, did we think before doing all this that how much damage will it do to the forests and especially the Amazon rainforest?
You know, if the temperature increases by 3%, then about 75% of the rainforest will be destroyed and the speed at which forests are being cut down and the increase in animal husbandry is due to the fact that every day thousands of species are being destroyed by the Amazon rainforest.
Due to climate change, the fire that is burning in the forest cannot be hoped for anything else but destruction. Not only that, the illegal way of breeding of trees, birds and animals has also begun. How far is it right? You think for yourself.
Human Activities
Try to understand how much the Amazon rainforest, which provides us with oxygen and carbon dioxide, is giving us and in return we intend to take everything away from him. Is this really correct? no right? Then the time has come to understand its importance. You need to educate your friends and family members about it.
Spreading Awareness
There is a need to educate your friends and family members about this. Instead of thinking only about ourselves, there is a need to think about nature also. To fulfill this purpose, World Rainforest Day is also celebrated every year on 22 June. In order to protect the earth’s invaluable resources, the rainforest, as much knowledge can be spread as possible and efforts to save them can be made.
Conclusion
The Amazon Rainforest is not just a place of trees and animals; it’s a important part of our planet’s ecosystem. It gives us oxygen, stores carbon, and houses millions of species. But it’s under threat from deforestation, climate change, and human activities. It’s up to us to protect it.
How much do you agree with this? given you an important piece of information and has been able to inspire you to save nature, then share it a lot with a like, because the jungle can’t say its own thing, so why don’t we become their voice?