biotechnology
Amazonia
the lungs of the planet
W
ith its varied landscapes and multitude of plant and animal species, Brazil is now considered to be the world’s largest biodiversity hotspot. The size and varied climate of this South American country make it an exceptional land where seven distinct biomes develop unique ecosystems of immeasurable value for the human race and contemporary society. The Amazon rainforest heads the cast among these seven priceless environmental treasures. Discover this green paradise where a sword of Damocles threatens to thwart nature’s efforts to reclaim its rights. By Marine Pasquier
A treasure still waiting to be discovered The largest forest in the world spanning a total 6.7 million km², the Amazon jungle covers a vast region straddling nine countries. Most of it is in Brazil, followed by Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Colombia, Venezuela, Suriname and French Guiana. This humid tropical forest is one of the world’s foremost regions for biological diversity, preserving 10% of global biodiversity. From root to treetop, no fewer than 40,000 plant species, 3,000 freshwater fish species and hundreds of reptiles, birds, mammals and amphibians cohabit in millions of hectares of dense forests and winding rivers. The region also houses around 2.5 million insect species and 16,000 tree varieties. This natural wealth shows the primordial importance of the Amazon basin for the entire planet. Moreover, the region is home to thousands of species still unknown and waiting to be classified. Irrigated by its huge river containing nearly 18% of 130
the planet’s liquid freshwater reserves, the Amazon forest enjoys a warm, humid climate and regular alternating seasons enabling it to stay permanently green. Thanks to its diversity of habitats, the region hosts many endangered species such as the pygmy marmoset, the giant anteater, the hyacinth macaw, the giant otter, the pink river dolphin and the jaguar, all on the road towards extinction. In addition to preserving global biodiversity, the region is also home to millions of people still mostly living off the resources generously provided by nature.
Biodiversity essential to the planet’s development Few people realise that Amazonian biodiversity is of vital importance for the planet. As the world’s largest forest, it performs an essential task of regulating the climate by cooling the surrounding air and acting as a carbon sink. As a result, it influences climate change and the hydrological systems of the southern hemisphere
by regulating precipitation in South America. In addition, its huge rivers offer immense potential for generating hydroelectric power for the country. In fact, over 60% of Brazil’s hydroelectric power is generated in this ultrasensitive ecosystem through an extensive system of dams. But the Amazon forest harbours many other treasures besides these, including gold, copper, nickel, manganese, wood and vegetable molecules, extraction of which could resolve many modern challenges. Each species of this diversified system offers solutions to different biological issues which could bring huge benefits to humanity. For example, new research could lead to agricultural, environmental and medical applications like the discovery of an enzyme in the poison of the lancehead viper that could be used to treat high blood pressure, thereby potentially benefiting hundreds of millions of people worldwide suffering from this condition. Then again, there is the behaviour of the leafcutter ant, which
