The Amazon rainforest: lungs of the earth

The Amazon rainforest: lungs of the earth

introduction

The Amazon rainforest, often also referred to as the "lung of the earth", is the largest tropical rainforest system in the world. With about seven million square kilometers, which corresponds approximately to the area of ​​the entire Australian continent, the Amazon rainforest covers around 40% of the South American continent. In this article we will consider the biological diversity, the role in the global climate and the current challenges of the Amazon rainforest.

The biological diversity of the Amazon rainforest

The Amazon rainforest is known for its incredible biodiversity and is an estimated 30% of all animal and plant species on earth, which makes it the most species-rich ecosystem of our planet.

fauna

Among the animal species can be found, Jaguars, River Delfine and about a fifth of all bird species on earth. With around 2.5 million insect species, the Amazon rainforest is also a home for most known insect species.

flora

The flora is no less impressive, although it is estimated that around 40,000 plant species in the Amazon rainforest are at home. The number of tree species is remarkable. Experts assume that around 16,000 different species grow here. These trees play an essential role in carbon binding, which will be discussed later.

The role in global climate

The Amazon rainforest plays a crucial role in the global climate system and is one of the most important carbon sinks of our planet.

Air purifier of the world

The trees of the Amazon rainforest remove around 2 billion tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually and at the same time produce 20% of the global oxygen. This brought him the nickname "lungs of the earth".

water balance

In addition, the Amazon rainforest is an important regulator of the global water balance. Its trees pull thousands of liters of water out of the ground and release them into the atmosphere as a water lever or fog. This water vapor contributes to the formation of the "flying rivers", which are required to irrigate the agricultural fields in South America.

climate regulation

The Amazon rainforest also acts as a thermal regulator and contributes to stabilizing the regional and global climate. By releasing water levers into the atmosphere, it helps to alleviate global warming.

The current challenges of the Amazon rainforest

Despite its ecological importance and its role as a global climate regulator, the Amazon rainforest is faced with unprecedented challenges, which are mainly caused by human activities.

deforestation

The destruction of the Amazon rainforest has increased significantly in recent decades, mainly through industrial agriculture and forestry, mining and the expansion of urban areas. These deforestation practices not only lead to a significant loss of biological diversity, but also exacerbate the climate crisis, since the trees released release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Loss of biodiversity

The effects of deforestation can also be felt at the biodiversity level. The destruction of their habitats threatens many animal and plant species of extinction.

climate change

Climate change also has an impact on the Amazon rainforest. Changes in precipitation patterns and an increase in extreme weather events can lead to droughts and fires that further endanger the forest and its inhabitants.

conclusion

The Amazon rainforest undoubtedly deserves its title as the "lungs of the earth". His biological diversity and role as a climate regulator make him one of the most important ecosystems on earth. But despite its importance, the Amazon rainforest faces unprecedented challenges that urgently need to be addressed. The preservation of this irreplaceable ecosystem requires globally coordinated efforts to combat deforestation and climate change, to protect the biological diversity and thus make an invaluable contribution to the health of our planet.