Amazon Rainforest: Rainforest could become desert. photo from NASA
And that could speed up global warming with 'incalculable consequences', says alarming new research. Studies by the blue-chip Woods Hole Research Centre, carried out in Amazonia, have concluded that the forest cannot withstand more than two consecutive years of drought without breaking down. And that process, which would be irreversible, could begin as early as next year.
For those who'd like some perspective, the Amazon rainforest represents half the rainforests in the world. It encompasses 1.2 billion acres, or 1.875 million square miles. That's 3.25% of the planets land mass. That’s a huge chunk of land. So if this report is accurate, it’s far from being insignificant.
The Amazon now appears to be entering its second successive year of drought, raising the possibility that it could start dying next year. The immense forest contains 90 billion tons of carbon, enough in itself to increase the rate of global warming by 50 per cent.
Read more from The Independent (U.K.), July 23, 2006
We need to stop global warming now at all costs. I propose a world wide fund where all rich people donate to this fund. Since they became rich thru taking from others, its right they give back. Much of the world's wealth is tied up in the hands of some (rich people). Use the fund to pull together the best brains / scientists in the world together to brainstorm a solution.
If nothing drastic is done, there wont be a world left for rich (and poor) people to enjoy.
Alright, I agree, that global warming is a bad thing that must be stopped, but your statement "Since they became rich thru taking from others" is truely, utterly ignorant. Most of the upper calss worked hard to get where they are, doctors, lawyers, dentists, pilots, rehabilitationists and investors, they all worked hard and made the right choices to get where they are. People like gang leaders, and white collar criminals (who make up a very miniscule percentage of the upperclass) are they ones who need to be put behind bars and give back to the world.
how much rain appear a year in the amazon
The Amazon gets nine feet of rain every year!
How much rain do you get where you live? Click to find out.
Does anyone know if there are any invasive species in the Amazon Rainforest, and where we could find an article written on that, online?
If I were to pick an invasive species having a huge impact on the Amazon Rainforest ecosystem, I would choose human beings. Our slash and burn techniques and other deforestation impact can be seen from outer space.
I agree, humans are cutting down the rain forest. What could be more invasive than that?
I think that cutting down the rainforest is a bad idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i am doing a project on the amazon and i really need to know quickly what are the human impacts and management on the amazon rainforest????
thank you!
An easy way to find both information and other reference links is to look up "Amazon rainforest" at Wikipedia.
this was really cool thanks!!!
I would really like to know if the Amazon Rainforest is back to normal now. Has the rainfall increased? Has the drought been alleviated? I would really like to know if it is still on a major track to a drought, and possibly a worldwide environmental crisis even worse than we have now. Please respond with full facts.
DOES CUTTING DOWN THE AMAZON RAINFOREST AFFECT US?
yes because the rain forests give us air da
yes because it gives of 20% of all oxygen.
what will happen if the rain forest gets all cut down???
lots of animals will become extinct like tigers, gorrillas, andacondas, anteaters, and many more animales will become extinct i'm just telling u what will happen first u dont want to know what comes next.
dude dude dude dude why does the rainforest need rain i mean that does not make any sence......nvm
What are some invasive species in the Amazon Rainforest? need to know!!!!
-thanks!
who is cutting it down and why?
Up to 70% of all logging in the Brazilian Amazon is illegal because of the high demand for cheap timber and also 70% of that timber cut is wasted in the mills. Companies also clear land for cattle ranches where supposedly Mc Donalds meat paddies come from. They also clear land for mining and soya plantations.
I hope this was helpful :)
I want to stop global warming as soon as possible! Who would want to hurt our environment by cutting our precious forests!? One day i want to travel and see the world and if so i want to see beauty not flat land with noting there! I will do whatever it takes! This article is good it helped me on my project which im doing now.
-I LOVE THIS ARTICLE!:D
WHAT IT WON'T DO US ANY HARM ALL THESE MAD POEPLE WHO THINK IT WILL ARE MENTAL
who is chopping down the trees (groups e.c.t)
Ughh, What are some pros of cutting down the rainforest. Its ferr my school project. I think we should just cut everything down.
Help!
how does cutting this down impact us, the world, U.S.? I also need statictical data!
i am doing a project and need to know.If you don't know can you tell me where to find it?
thanks alot!
I would check the external links (at the bottom) on the Wikipedia entry on the Amazon Rainforest.
NEVER GO TO WIKIPEDIA!!! anyone can change any information they want to change. i know someone who made up a page on the swiss canadian war, and there was no war about it and it was posted for 2 weeks
While this is true, the vast majority of information on Wikipedia IS factual and correct. Made up and spurious information is often fixed within moments, although there are always going to be outliers. As a matter of fact an article in Nature showed that overall, WIkipedia was almost as accurate as the professionally authored Encyclopedia Britannica. But, you have the right sentiment. You should research your questions from multiple sources and always try to get another opinion.
Singer Molly Lewis has written a love song to Wikipedia. Actually, it's more of a break-up song. Actually, it's more a disquisition on the nature of knowledge. Actually, it's... oh, just watch it. ;-)
Wikipedia disquisition
I watched it.
Thanks Gene.
YEah ArtiFactor, I have a questioin. Could you please tell me all the things that happen in the Amazon rain forest that have an affect on us? And how? and is it good or bad? Thank you! Write back as quickly as possible!
The Amazon Rain Forest is big and has a lot of green vegetation. This is important to the world's climate. If sunlight hits green plants it results in release of oxygen (we need oxygen to live) and evaporation of water (which results in cooling). If sunlight hits brown dirt it results in heat and no evaporated moisture. This dry air can result in more plants drying out which makes air dryer resulting in a "snow ball effect" of plants dying due to drought.
The amount of plants involved is enormous - covering an area almost 8 times bigger than Texas.
I hope you have clicked on the sources of information in the comments above for more information (They are colored red).
you need to save the Amazon rainforest because everyone loves it in this place xxxxxxxxxxxx
I'm doing a project on the amazon and I know that humans are an invasive species in the amazon but are their any others? Please reply soon!
we need to find some way of saving the rainforest this is just sad that we could destroy something as beautiful as the rainforest!
Animal rights activists are not fully convinced with the forest department's plan for supplying water
regards
I was actually wondering if there has been any invasive animal species that humans have introduced in the Amazon Rain forest? I know in Australia they have a huge problems with frogs that were introduced to control beetles in the sugarcane field... Does the Amazon Rain forest have anything similar happening? Maybe cats/dogs or even snakes? Or has the human impact through that means been relatively limited?
The natural habitat of the living things are the most affected by the global warming. Also deforestation has very bad impact on them. You can find half of the world's species of flora and fauna here. It is all in danger now.
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