Amazon Rainforest

The Amazon Rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest on Earth, covering approximately 5.5 million square kilometres. It spans nine countries: Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. This vast forest represents more than half of the planet's remaining rainforests. As one of the most biologically diverse regions on Earth, it occupies a central position in global ecological and climatic systems. ¹

The Amazon basin, which underlies much of the forest, covers about 40% of South America and is the world's largest drainage basin, spanning roughly 7 million square kilometres. Within this basin, the Amazon River discharges an average of 209,000 cubic metres per second into the Atlantic Ocean, making it the largest river by discharge volume in the world. Its flow is greater than the next seven largest rivers combined. The river has more than 1,100 tributaries and is the second longest river in the world, at approximately 6,400 kilometres. ²

The Amazon rainforest produces about 20% of the world's oxygen and is a critical component of the global climate system. It is one of the most important ecosystems for climate regulation, and its water cycle is essential for regional agriculture. The rainforest stores 150–200 billion tonnes of carbon in its vegetation and soils, and its forests exchange more carbon with the atmosphere than any other terrestrial ecosystem. This carbon balance is critical for global climate stability. ¹

The Central Amazon Conservation Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site covering 6 million hectares, exemplifies the global recognition of the region's ecological importance. The Amazon rainforest is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a key global biodiversity hotspot. It is home to many endangered species. Its biodiversity includes 40,000 plant species, 2,200 fish, 1,300 birds, and 400 mammals, and it is estimated to be 55 million years old. ³

The Amazon rainforest is home to at least 16,000 tree species and has a high diversity of primates, with 100 species. It also supports 2.5 million insect species, more than 400 species of amphibians, and 1,300 bird species. The region is home to 20% of the world's bird species and 20% of the world's vascular plant species. More than 2,500 fish species are known from the Amazon River system, with some estimates placing the number of freshwater fish species at 3,000. ⁴

The Amazon is home to 10% of the world's known species, and its biodiversity includes 3,000 freshwater fish species as well as 40,000 plant species. It is one of the most biologically diverse regions on Earth. The rainforest provides habitat for the jaguar, an apex predator, and its complex ecosystems support a vast array of life forms that remain incompletely catalogued. The region's species richness is a cornerstone of its global ecological significance. ⁵

Beyond its forests, the Amazon River is the lifeblood of the rainforest, supporting millions of people. The river has more than 1,100 tributaries, and its width can reach up to 11 kilometres in the dry season. Its waters support more than 2,500 fish species and contribute to the region's status as a global biodiversity hotspot. The Amazon basin is a major source of atmospheric moisture, influencing rainfall patterns across the continent. ⁶

The Amazon River is the largest river by discharge volume in the world, releasing an average of 209,000 cubic metres per second into the Atlantic Ocean. It is the second longest river globally, approximately 6,400 kilometres long. Its flow is greater than the next seven largest rivers combined. The river has more than 1,100 tributaries and reaches a width of up to 11 kilometres during the dry season. It ultimately flows into the Atlantic Ocean. ⁶

The Amazon basin receives about 2,300 millimetres of rain per year, and its rainfall is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. The basin is a major source of atmospheric moisture, and its water cycle is essential for regional agriculture. The Amazon River supports millions of people as the lifeblood of the rainforest. The basin covers about 40% of South America and is the world's largest drainage basin, covering about 7 million square kilometres. ⁷

The Amazon basin is a major carbon sink, absorbing 2 billion tonnes of CO2 per year. The rainforest is a critical carbon sink, and its water cycle supports regional agriculture. The river system also supports more than 2,500 fish species, with some estimates indicating 3,000 freshwater fish species. The Central Amazon Conservation Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site, covers 6 million hectares and protects a vital portion of this hydrological network. ⁸

The Amazon stores 150–200 billion tonnes of carbon in its vegetation and soils. Amazon forests exchange more carbon with the atmosphere than any other terrestrial ecosystem. The rainforest is a critical carbon sink, absorbing 2 billion tonnes of CO2 per year, and its carbon balance is critical for global climate stability. The Amazon is a key player in the global carbon cycle and a critical component of the global climate system. ⁹

However, the Amazon carbon sink has weakened due to deforestation and climate change. The Amazon is vulnerable to climate change and may reach a tipping point, and it is approaching a tipping point due to deforestation and warming. Climate change could turn the Amazon from a carbon sink to a carbon source. The Amazon has experienced increased drought and fire events in recent decades, and its droughts have become more frequent and severe. ¹⁰

The Amazon's dry season has lengthened in recent decades, and deforestation contributes to reduced rainfall and increased temperatures in the Amazon. These changes threaten the forest's ability to function as a carbon sink. The Amazon is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change. Its carbon balance is critical for global climate stability, and any shift from sink to source would have profound implications for the global climate system. ⁷

Amazon deforestation is primarily driven by cattle ranching and agriculture. Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon was 1.1 million hectares in 2020, and it increased in 2019 and 2020. The Brazilian Amazon lost 17% of its forest cover in the last 50 years. South America lost 2.6 million hectares of forest per year between 2010 and 2020. Deforestation is concentrated in the eastern and southern Amazon. ¹¹

The Amazon rainforest is under pressure from logging, mining, and infrastructure development, and it is threatened by illegal logging. It is a major source of timber and non-timber forest products. Deforestation in the Amazon decreased in 2021, but the overall trend over recent decades has been one of significant loss. The Brazilian Amazon lost 17% of its forest cover in the last 50 years, and deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon was 1.1 million hectares in 2020. ⁸

INPE monitors Amazon deforestation using satellite imagery, and deforestation in the Amazon is monitored by satellite systems. Deforestation in the Amazon increased in 2019 and 2020 and decreased in 2021. The drivers of deforestation, primarily cattle ranching and agriculture, continue to exert pressure on the forest. The Amazon rainforest is threatened by illegal logging, and it is under pressure from logging, mining, and infrastructure development. ¹²

Over 400 indigenous groups live in the Amazon rainforest. The Amazon River supports millions of people as the lifeblood of the rainforest, and the rainforest provides livelihoods for 30 million people. Indigenous populations in the Amazon have unique health vulnerabilities. Access to healthcare in the Amazon is limited for remote communities, and the region faces health challenges from deforestation and mercury pollution. ³

The Amazon region has high rates of malaria and other vector-borne diseases. Deforestation in the Amazon can increase the risk of emerging infectious diseases, and deforestation can lead to the spread of zoonotic diseases. Indigenous populations in the Amazon have unique health vulnerabilities. Access to healthcare in the Amazon is limited for remote communities, and the region faces health challenges from deforestation and mercury pollution. ¹³

The Amazon rainforest provides livelihoods for 30 million people, and the Amazon River supports millions of people. Over 400 indigenous groups live in the Amazon rainforest, and indigenous populations in the Amazon have unique health vulnerabilities. The region faces health challenges from deforestation and mercury pollution. The Amazon is home to many endangered species, and its biodiversity is a global treasure. ⁵

The Central Amazon Conservation Complex is a UNESCO World Heritage site and covers 6 million hectares. The Amazon rainforest is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a key global biodiversity hotspot. It is home to many endangered species. The Central Amazon Conservation Complex is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Amazon rainforest is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. ³

INPE monitors Amazon deforestation using satellite imagery, and deforestation in the Amazon is monitored by satellite systems. The Brazilian Amazon lost 17% of its forest cover in the last 50 years. Deforestation in the Amazon decreased in 2021. The Amazon rainforest is threatened by illegal logging, and it is under pressure from logging, mining, and infrastructure development. ¹²

The Amazon rainforest is one of the most important ecosystems for climate regulation, and its water cycle is essential for regional agriculture. It is a critical carbon sink, absorbing 2 billion tonnes of CO2 per year. However, the Amazon carbon sink has weakened due to deforestation and climate change. The Amazon is approaching a tipping point due to deforestation and warming, and climate change could turn the Amazon from a carbon sink to a carbon source. ⁹

The Amazon is vulnerable to climate change and may reach a tipping point. It is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change, and it is approaching a tipping point due to deforestation and warming. The Amazon has experienced increased drought and fire events in recent decades, and its droughts have become more frequent and severe. Climate change could turn the Amazon from a carbon sink to a carbon source. ¹⁰

The Amazon's dry season has lengthened in recent decades, and deforestation contributes to reduced rainfall and increased temperatures in the Amazon. These changes exacerbate the vulnerability of the forest. The Amazon carbon sink has weakened due to deforestation and climate change. The Amazon is a critical component of the global climate system, and its carbon balance is critical for global climate stability. ⁷

The Amazon rainforest is a key player in the global carbon cycle, and its forests exchange more carbon with the atmosphere than any other terrestrial ecosystem. The Amazon stores 150–200 billion tonnes of carbon in its vegetation and soils. However, the Amazon carbon sink has weakened due to deforestation and climate change. The Amazon is approaching a tipping point due to deforestation and warming. ⁹

The Amazon rainforest is essential for global water cycles and is a critical component of the global climate system. It produces about 20% of the world's oxygen and is one of the most important ecosystems for climate regulation. The Amazon basin is a major source of atmospheric moisture, and its water cycle is essential for regional agriculture. The rainforest is a key player in the global carbon cycle. ³

The Amazon is home to 10% of the world's known species and 20% of the world's bird species. It has 40,000 plant species, 2,200 fish, 1,300 birds, and 400 mammals. It is a key global biodiversity hotspot and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The Amazon rainforest is a vital resource for medicinal plants, and it is home to many endangered species. ⁵

The Amazon rainforest provides livelihoods for 30 million people and is a major source of timber and non-timber forest products. The Amazon River supports millions of people. The Amazon basin is a major carbon sink, absorbing 2 billion tonnes of CO2 per year. However, the Amazon carbon sink has weakened due to deforestation and climate change. The Amazon is a critical component of the global climate system. ⁸

The Amazon Rainforest is the world's largest tropical rainforest, covering about 5.5 million square kilometres and spanning nine countries. It produces about 20% of the world's oxygen and stores 150–200 billion tonnes of carbon. It is home to at least 16,000 tree species, 2.5 million insect species, and over 400 indigenous groups. The Amazon is a critical component of the global climate system and a key global biodiversity hotspot. ¹

Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon was 1.1 million hectares in 2020, and the Brazilian Amazon lost 17% of its forest cover in the last 50 years. Deforestation is primarily driven by cattle ranching and agriculture. The Amazon is approaching a tipping point due to deforestation and warming, and climate change could turn the Amazon from a carbon sink to a carbon source. Deforestation in the Amazon decreased in 2021. ¹²

The Amazon rainforest is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Central Amazon Conservation Complex covers 6 million hectares. The Amazon is one of the most important ecosystems for climate regulation, and its water cycle is essential for regional agriculture. It is a critical carbon sink, absorbing 2 billion tonnes of CO2 per year, but its carbon sink has weakened due to deforestation and climate change. ³