Amazon Rainforest and Deforestation

Primary / Virgin Forest

Authentic forest, never modified by humans.

Canopy

Layer of leaves of large trees.

Carbon Sink

Forests absorb CO₂ to grow.

Ecological Footprint

Biologically productive area needed to produce resources + absorb waste.

Sustainable Development

Meets current needs without compromising future generations.

Water Cycle in Amazon

Transpiration → clouds → rain → forest (virtuous circle).

Forest Fragmentation

Loss of biodiversity, no genetic mixing, some species need large areas.

Trans-Amazonian Highway

Built in the 1970s, contributing to deforestation.

Mercury Pollution

Pollution caused by gold mining (garimpeiros) that destroys rivers.

Ruralistas

Political group controlling a significant percentage of Congress, influencing deforestation policies.

Biodiversity Loss

75% of Amazon species are endemic, leading to vulnerability.

Deforestation Rate (50 years)

Approximately 17% of the Amazon has been deforested.

Indigenous Peoples

Communities significantly affected by deforestation, such as the Yanomami.

Tipping Point

20-25% deforestation threshold after which the rainforest's ability to cycle water collapses.

Amazon Rainforest Area

Covers approximately 6,954,000 km².

Oxygen Production by Amazon

The Amazon produces about 20% of