Amazon rain forests- a real jungle spread around the Amazon River. They are located on a wide and almost flat plain that stretches across the entire body of the Amazon River. The area of ​​this humid and virtually impassable forest is 5.5 million square km.


The forest stretches across several countries at once: Brazil, Colombia, Suriname, Peru, Bolivia, Guyana, Venezuela, French Guiana, Ecuador. The local forests are the most truly large forest on the planet. The largest reserves of wood are concentrated here, and the largest “factory” for the production of oxygen grows. Wet forests South America provided with different types of flora and fauna. The variety of animals and plants here is even greater than in the forests of Africa.

For example, every tenth described species of animal or plant is concentrated in the Amazon forests. Over all the years of research, over 3 thousand species of fish, 40 thousand species of plants and 1,300 species of birds were found in the forests. Almost 500 popular species of mammals, 400 species of amphibians, the same number of reptiles and just over 100 thousand species of various invertebrates live here.
The diversity of plants growing in the Amazon forests is even more amazing. According to professional analyses, there are 150 thousand species of higher plants per square kilometer of forest, including 75 thousand species of trees. In addition, the local forests are teeming with animals that pose a threat to humans. Large predators include: jaguar, caiman and anaconda. The rivers of the Amazon are rich in eels and candiru, and tailless amphibians from the poison dart frog family hang from tree branches. The skin of these animals secretes a powerful poison that leads to death in a matter of moments.

The Amazon River can be called one of the wonders of the planet. In terms of fame, it rivals the Nile and Ganges. The unique ecosystem of the longest waterway on earth attracts lovers of tropical flora and fauna. The plants and animals of the Amazon are amazing species diversity. Here you can meet unique and very dangerous living creatures.

Amazon Basin

The Amazon basin is the largest lowland on our planet. It covers an area of ​​more than six million square kilometers. Almost the entire area is covered with tropical rainforests (Amazon jungle). This tropical forest is the largest in the world. The center of the region is the Amazon itself - the most deep river on the ground. It's hard to imagine, but its tributaries collect water from nine countries: Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Guyana, Bolivia, French Guyana and Suriname.

Flora and fauna of the Amazon

The region is incredibly important due to the fact that it is a unique ecosystem. Vegetable and animal world The Amazon is unique. It has so much variety. And many representatives of the local fauna and flora are endemic and are found only in this area.

It is worth noting that the Amazon has the greatest diversity of plants. Oddly enough, the region has been little studied to this day, and therefore many animals and plants of the Amazon are still unknown to science. Some researchers believe that the actual number of plant species in this region is three times greater than currently known. Science knows about only 750 species of trees, 400 species of birds, 125 species of mammals and countless invertebrates and insects. The river is home to more than two thousand fish and many reptiles.

Flora of the Amazon

Until 2011, the wild forests of the Amazon were subject to ruthless deforestation. And the reason for this was not only wood. People have adapted to clearing freed lands for agricultural activities. However, it is worth remembering that the river basin contains the most diverse vegetation on the entire planet. Amazonian forests play a very important role on the globe. They are a huge source of oxygen. In addition, forests maintain the required level of groundwater, preventing the destruction of soil covers. More than 4,000 species of trees grow in the Amazon jungle - this is a quarter of all known species in the world.

The forests contain palm trees, myrtle, laurel, begonias, and mangroves. And fruits include pineapples, bananas, guavas, mangoes, oranges, and fig trees. The Amazon rainforest can be considered the world's genetic pool. Even on small areas Species diversity is amazing. For example, in ten square kilometers of forest you can find up to 1,500 varieties of flowers and 750 species of trees. With all this, as we mentioned earlier, not all tropical riches have been studied and described by scientists. One can only guess what other plants grow in the depths of the Amazon.

Valuable representatives of the plant world

Many representatives flora are of great value. For example, in the forests of the Amazon, giant nuts grow, or rather, bertholia nut trees. They are famous for their amazing taste. Each shell, weighing up to twenty kilograms, contains about twenty nuts. Such fruits can only be collected in completely calm weather, since nuts accidentally blown off by the wind can cause significant harm to the picker.

No less interesting is which gives sweet drink, reminiscent of milk. But cocoa is obtained from the fruits. The Amazon forests contain a huge number of trees that can take a long time to list. Among them, rubber. The latter is famous for its lightest wood. Indians float down the river on rafts made from such trees. Sometimes their size is so large that an entire village can fit on such a raft.

But of course, most of everything in the Amazon is palm trees. In total there are more than one hundred species. An interesting fact is that they are all very valuable to humans. They produce fiber, wood, nuts, juice and much more. And only the rattan palm is disliked by many, and the Indians generally call it “the devil’s rope.” The fact is that this plant is the longest tree on Earth. It looks more like a vine and sometimes reaches 300 meters in length. The thin trunk of the palm tree is studded with incredibly sharp thorns. The rattan palm creates impenetrable thickets, entwining the trunks and branches of nearby bushes and trees.

Victoria Region

The nature and animals of the Amazon are sometimes so amazing that they boggle the imagination. The most famous plant of these places can be considered the water lily with beautiful name Victoria region. This is a giant plant, the leaves of which reach several meters in diameter and can support up to 50 kilograms of weight.

The largest water lily in the world blooms from March to July. Its flowers exude the most delicate apricot aroma, each of them reaches forty centimeters in diameter. You can see this miracle of nature only at night, since the flower begins to bloom only in the evening. On the first day of flowering, the petals are white, the next day it becomes light pink, and then even dark crimson and even purple.

Amazon wildlife

The Amazon rainforest is full of rare animals, some of which are on the verge of extinction: the baker, sloth, spider monkey, armadillo, freshwater dolphin, boa, crocodile. The fauna of the Amazon is so diverse that it is difficult to count all its representatives.

Near the river bank you can find a stunning creature that can weigh up to 200 kilograms. It usually moves along paths along the river, looking for algae, twigs, leaves and fruits for food.

Amazon animals such as capybaras (the largest rodents in the world) live near the ponds. Their weight reaches 50 kilograms. Externally, the animals resemble a guinea pig. And along the banks of the river, the anaconda, which is rightly considered an incredibly dangerous creature, awaits its victims.

The most dangerous animals of the Amazon

Rainforests are not only incredible interesting places, but also unsafe. Not all of their inhabitants are distinguished by a meek disposition. The most dangerous animals of the Amazon terrify any person. This is not surprising, because meeting one of them can lead to the most dire consequences. It’s not for nothing that some jungle inhabitants have long become heroes of numerous horror films.

Dangerous animals of the Amazon are of impressive size and capable of causing harm not only to their fellow creatures, but also to humans. One of their list is the electric eel, which can grow up to three meters and weigh up to forty kilograms. The fish is capable of generating a discharge of up to 1300 volts. For adults, the electric shock is, of course, not fatal, but very unpleasant.

They live in the waters of the Amazon. Their length is two meters, and some individuals reach three meters. The weight of the largest fish was 200 kilograms. Arapaima are not believed to pose a threat to humans, but in 2009, several men were attacked and killed. Therefore, you should be wary of such inhabitants. Because they cannot be called harmless.

Still, it is worth remembering that the wild animals of the Amazon live in dangerous world, where every minute of their life is filled with the struggle for survival.

The jungle is home to the Brazilian wandering spider, also known as the banana spider. It is believed to be incredibly poisonous. In addition, he is included in the list of the most large spiders on the planet (13-15 centimeters). An interesting fact is that the insect does not always inject poison into its victim; this happens only in 30% of cases.

But the spotted poison dart frog is incredibly dangerous to humans. A cute little frog with colorful covers reaches no more than five centimeters. But at the same time, her skin contains so much poison that it can kill 10 people at once.

Five of the most dangerous creatures

The most dangerous animals in the Amazon are jaguars, caimans, anacondas, piranhas and mosquitoes. These representatives of the fauna are the threat of the jungle and pose a danger not only to people, but also to forest inhabitants.

Jaguars are the largest felines in the Western Hemisphere. Males weigh on average up to one hundred kilograms. The animals' diet includes up to 87 different creatures, from mice to deer. Of course, they attack people quite harshly. Basically, this situation can arise if the animal is forced to defend itself. But you should still understand that a wild predator is not a plush toy or a cute pussy.

They live in the waters of the Amazon. They grow up to five meters in length. At one time, their merciless extermination led to the fact that they were on the verge of extinction. But later the situation improved as a result of the adoption of strict laws. Caimans prefer to hunt at night, and attack from ambush. Animals feed mostly on fish (and even piranhas), as well as aquatic vertebrates. More large specimens attack jaguars, anacondas, wild cattle and even humans.

Meeting an anaconda in the jungle is not the most pleasant event. Its weight reaches one hundred kilograms, and its body length can reach up to six meters. Anaconda is the longest snake in the world. She spends most of her time in the water, but sometimes crawls onto land to bask in the water. sun rays. It feeds on reptiles and quadrupeds, attacking them on the shore.

The most famous inhabitants of the Amazon are piranhas. They have incredibly sharp teeth and powerful jaws. Each fish reaches thirty centimeters and weighs about a kilogram. Piranhas are characterized by a gregarious lifestyle. They swim in large groups in search of food, devouring everything that gets in their way.

Mosquitoes pose an incredible danger to humans. They are the main threat to the Amazon forests. Feeding on blood, they spread incredibly dangerous diseases that kill livestock and people. Their bite can cause yellow fever, malaria, and filariasis. For this reason, it is mosquitoes that lead the list of the most dangerous inhabitants of the jungle.

Manatees

What else is interesting about the Amazon? The nature and wildlife of the jungle is certainly dangerous, but among its inhabitants there are very cute creatures. Such as the manatee. Unlike their counterparts, they have more modest sizes (2-3 meters) and weigh up to 500 kilograms; the animals live in the fresh waters of the Amazon.

They have virtually no subcutaneous fat, and therefore they can only live in a warm environment at a temperature of at least fifteen degrees. Manatees feed only on algae, eating up to 18 kilograms per day.

Pink dolphin

Another adorable river resident is the Baby dolphin, which is born bluish-gray but gradually turns a stunning shade of pink. Adults weigh up to 250 kilograms and grow up to two meters. Dolphins feed mainly on fish, sometimes eating piranhas.

Instead of an afterword

In ancient times, the Indians called the Amazon “Parana Tago”, which means “queen of rivers”. It's hard to disagree with them, because this unique river with its stunningly diverse flora and fauna, in some ways dangerous and in others mysterious, worthy of such a title.

Whose lives have been the subject of countless films for Discovery and the BBC, you will be immersed in a rich natural world our planet, which has no equal in its parameters:

1. The Amazon River Basin is the largest tropical rain forest in the world, covering an area of ​​over 6 million km2.
2. Humans settled in the Amazon Jungle at least 11,200 years ago. The Amazon Rainforest itself has existed for over 55 million years.
3. The Amazon rainforest accounts for more than half of the total area of ​​remaining rainforest on the entire planet.
4. 20% of Earth's oxygen is produced tropical forest The Amazon, which is why it is often called the “lungs of the planet.”
5. The Amazon is the deepest river in the world. She brings in Atlantic Ocean up to ⅕ of the flow of all rivers in the world. The Amazon River and its tributaries collect water from the territories of 9 countries: Peru, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, French Guyana.
6. The Amazon's biological diversity is the highest on Earth: over 150 thousand plant species, 75 thousand tree species, 1,300 bird species, 3,000 fish species, 430 mammals, 370 reptiles and more than 2.5 million different insects.
7. The Amazon Jungle is home to a number of deadly dangerous inhabitants Lands: jaguars, electric eels, piranhas, poisonous snakes and spiders, etc.
8. About 80% of the food we eat comes from tropical forests - rice, potatoes, tomatoes, bananas, coffee, chocolate, corn, pineapples and many others.
9. About 400-500 indigenous Indian tribes today live in the Amazon rainforest. It is believed that about 75 of these tribes have never had contact with the outside world.
10. The city of Iquitos (Peru) is the largest city in the world that does not have land connections with other cities. It is located deep in the jungle and has over 400,000 inhabitants.

Wild nature. Flora and fauna of the Amazon jungle

The Amazon forests are rich in diversity of trees and plants, many species of jungle flora and fauna are endemic - found only here throughout the world. At the same time, 10% of all currently known plant and animal species on the planet are found in the Amazon jungle.

Jaguars, pumas, monkeys, sloths, caimans, anacondas, copybaras, turtles, river dolphins, parrots, toucans, hummingbirds and many, many other jungle creatures are part of humanity's world heritage. In terms of the number of animal and plant species, the Amazon jungle far exceeds the tropical forests of Africa and Asia.

The jungle is a real treasure trove useful plants- the fruits of some are used as food, parts of others serve as the basis for modern medicines.

Ferns, orchids, mosses, cacti, epiphytes - every plant has adapted to draw everything useful from humid air jungle Frequent rains and high humidity led to the fact that some of the jungle inhabitants moved to the trees. In such conditions, frogs lay their eggs high in the trees.

The Amazon River is one of the 7 natural wonders of the planet

In 2011, the Amazon was recognized as one of the seven natural wonders of the planet.

This is the deepest river in the world. The Amazon and its tributaries form a system of inland waterways with a total length of over 25 thousand kilometers. At the point where it flows into the ocean, the depth of the river reaches 100 meters.

During the dry season, the Amazon reaches a width of 11 kilometers, covering 110 thousand sq. km with water, and during the rainy season it increases three times, during this period the river waters rise to 20 meters, covering an area of ​​350 thousand sq. km and spilling over 40 km and more.

The Amazon and its tributaries are home to about 3,000 species of fish, but the most famous inhabitants of these rivers remain piranhas - predatory fish that can attack even large predators crossing the river.

Wild tribes of the Amazon

Of the more than 10 million Indians who lived in harmony with the jungle, this moment Only about 200,000 survived.

According to various sources, today 400-500 tribes live in the Amazon rainforest. Of these, about 75 tribes have no contact with the outside world.

These people serve as a living reminder of the fragility of ancient cultures. The Indians have repeatedly stood in the way of commercial exploitation of the Amazon. In the past, oil production has led to aggressive and disastrous contact with isolated Indians - in the early 1980s, Shell research led to contact with the isolated Nahua tribe, which subsequently killed about 50% of the tribe within a few years. Wild tribes are powerless before modern society- Indians have no immune defense against epidemics of modern diseases.

Almost all isolated Indians are nomads - they move through the forest in small groups depending on the season. During the rainy season, when the water level is high, the tribes who do not use canoes live far from the river, deep in the forest. During the dry season, when water levels are low, they live on the banks of rivers.

During the dry season, river turtles lay eggs on river banks, burying them in the sand. Eggs are an important source of protein for Indians, so this also serves as a reason for moving to the banks of rivers, along with fishing.

In addition to turtle eggs, uncontacted Indians eat a variety of meat and fish dishes, bananas, nuts, berries, roots and grubs.

Holidays in the jungle of Peru. Amazon National Parks

Much of the Amazon River basin still remains unexplored and dangerous for humans; access to the wild rainforest is possible only in protected areas permitted by the government, and only accompanied by accredited guides.

In Peru there are 3 interesting protected areas for visiting the Amazon Jungle:

• Nature reserves in the Iquitos area
• National Park Manu
• Nature reserves in the Puerto Maldonado area

1. Iquitos

This The largest city on Earth, which has no land connections with other cities. You can only get to Iquitos by water or air.

The city began to grow in the 19th century due to the beginning of the “rubber fever”. Here they began producing rubber from natural raw materials - wood growing in the Amazonian jungle. The tycoons who owned rubber factories built luxurious mansions that still give the city its unique style.

From Iquitos you can make a lot of interesting forays into the jungle, immerse yourself in the world of the jungle, and get to know the local tribes and their culture.

How to get there: There are 8-9 flights daily from Lima to Iquitos. You can view tickets on the websites of local airlines: LAN Perú, Peruvian Airlines and Star Perú. The flight takes 1 hour 45 minutes.

2. Manu National Park. Misty Andean forests

Manu National Park is one of the largest nature reserves in the world: it covers almost 2,000,000 hectares and is located at an altitude of 300 to 4,000 meters above sea level. Due to this location and vast area, the park contains several different ecosystems, providing a great diversity of plant, insect and animal species. Manu - the reserve with the largest number biological species in the world!

Most of the park is closed to visitors; only scientists are allowed there, but even they have a hard time getting a pass. Visitors can enter the Manu Conservation Area, but only in groups organized by accredited agencies. A limited number of visitors are allowed into the park each day. In this part of the park you can observe a huge variety of landscapes, flora and fauna; the bends of the rivers form lagoons with a magnificent variety of flora and fauna.

How to get there: Groups, accompanied by accredited guides, travel to the Manu Nature Reserve from Cusco. You can get to Cusco from Lima by plane (1 hour) or by bus (24 hours).

3. Puerto Maldonado

This small city 55 kilometers from the border with Bolivia is very similar to Iquitos, but it is much easier to get to. There are several national parks in the vicinity of Puerto Maldonado where you can see caimans, monkeys, capybaras and other animals, reptiles, insects and birds.

How to get there: There are direct flights to Puerto Maldonado from Cusco (the flight takes only 1 hour) and from Lima (1 hour 40 minutes).

Amazon Jungle Tours

The Amazon Jungle Tour is an amazing adventure in which you can feel the primal forces of nature and hear the call of the wild Earth.

Houses on stilts, mosquito nets over the beds, night walks with flashlights, boat trips on a raging river, bungee rides and much more will become unforgettable moments of your bright adventure.

Even at night, you will feel with all your senses that you are at the mercy of the wild jungle.

What is included in the tours:

• Transfer
• Accommodation in houses
• Professional English speaking guide
• Meals: all breakfasts, lunches and dinners
• Drinks and water to refill your own bottles
• Excursions, active recreation programs

Not included in tours:

• Travel insurance
• Single occupancy (on request)

Comfort and safety in the jungle. Important information

Do not forget that the jungle is not an artificial park adapted for people. The Amazon forests hide many dangers that are invisible to our eyes - sharp thorns may be hiding under the soft moss on the trees, and cute ants on your way may turn out to be poisonous.

With the best jungle guides you can be sure of your safety, but you must be vigilant and strictly adhere to the rules that will be announced to you upon arrival.

If you are planning a trip to the rainforest (Manu National Park), we recommend getting vaccinated against yellow fever. We also recommend taking the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites: use repellent and wear long sleeves and pants when possible.

When to go. Seasonality, climate, temperature

You can go to the Amazon Jungle in any season, each of them has its own advantages: during the rainy season you can see flowering plants that attract birds and primates descending to the water itself; in the dry season, when the water level drops, you can see migrating schools of fish and birds , attracted by easy prey, caimans hunting fish.

The average temperature in the jungle throughout the year is +30º

Rainy season: mid-December - mid-May.

Dry season: mid-May - mid-December.

Most high level water in the river is in May, the lowest is in September.

What to take with you? Clothing, shoes, protective equipment

• Clothing: We recommend bringing light, quick-drying, preferably cotton clothing, including several short-sleeved T-shirts, a long-sleeve sweater/jacket, several pairs of socks, a raincoat, and a swimsuit.
• Sun protection hat
• Comfortable waterproof shoes
• Flashlight and spare batteries
• Camera and spare battery
• Binoculars
• Repellent (we recommend OFF factor 35)
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Water bottle

In the jungle you will be given rubber boots.

FAQ

Is it possible to get into the jungle territory on your own?

Some tourists dare to go into the jungle unaccompanied, but this does not always end well. You can find a guide who will agree to work individually and live with tourists for several days in a wild forest away from organized accommodation (hotels and lodges).

What is the maximum group size?

Usually there are no more than 8 people in a group. In case the group is large - 10-16 people, it is accompanied by one or two additional guides.

Are there any age restrictions for staying in the jungle?

There are no age restrictions. The lodges welcome guests of all ages.

What if you didn’t have time to get vaccinated?

The vaccination can be done in Lima, but you will need to wait 10 days for the vaccine to take effect before heading into the jungle.

You also want a change of scenery, you are driven by a thirst for knowledge, then fly to Brazil for new experiences. Just don’t forget that holidays in the Amazon forests are unlikely to be passive, but rather extreme. But if you listen to the local guide and follow all the recommendations, you will retain only the most pleasant memories of this place, and you will definitely return more than once.

Amazon forests - an amazing and primitive world

The Amazon forests have always been a wonder for foreigners. The beauty and richness of nature Amazon rainforests conquered almost everyone. And some daredevils are ready to do anything to see all the splendor at least once.

Just imagine that more than forty thousand different species of plants grow in the Amazon jungle, and there are so many animals in the Amazon that some species are still unknown to humans.

Do you want to see the largest water lily in the world? You will only find it in the Amazon. The size of some Victoria regia water lilies is impressive, 3 meters in diameter, and even with a load of 50 kg, the plant will remain on the surface of the water, as if the insect had decided to rest for a moment. And the flowers, which, by the way, are not short either, 30-40 centimeters in diameter, exude a delicate aroma that will remind you of a walk in an apricot orchard. The water lily pleases with its flowering for a long 5 months, from March to July. Therefore, you will definitely have time to admire this miracle of nature.

If you decide to come here, be prepared for heat during the day and cold at night, especially after rainstorms. No wonder Amazon forests They are called rainy and wet; heavy rainfall is a constant phenomenon here.

Animals of the Amazon are amazing creatures

I would especially like to talk about Amazon animals. Some are very dangerous to human life. Therefore, it is better if you admire them from a distance or in photographs.

Jaguar is one of the major representatives felines. The weight of a male can reach up to 120 kilograms. You probably don’t want to come face to face with this “kitty”. However, locals say that if the jaguar is not provoked, it will not attack. And some look at the person rather with curiosity. But it’s better if you don’t approach the jaguar with affection.

Caimans and alligators are dangerous to humans. That's why, if you want to swim in the river, be sure to ask your guide about safe place. Do not under any circumstances enter the river without permission, no matter how hot it is.

Also dangerous are snakes in the Amazon forests, especially the anaconda. Attacks on humans, although rare, at least that’s what researchers say, few people want to suffocate in her arms. In addition, the anaconda does not disdain pets.

The most insidious snake in the Amazon is the jararaka. It is very common in the jungle, due to favorable conditions for its residence. Most often, people and pets die from its poison. And some settlements were forced to look for another place of residence, fearing for their lives and their children. Therefore, be careful, especially if you decide to walk deep into the forest. The size of this snake reaches about one and a half meters, so you can notice it. The saddest thing is that antitoxins against a bite are very expensive, and even if a person is saved in time, he may remain disabled, since the limbs affected by necrosis will have to be amputated. So, once again, be careful. Don't take a single step without a guide.

Besides crocodiles, there are other dangerous animals in the water, such as electric rays and piranhas. Even before the trip, you should study the literature to be prepared. Knowledge + a competent guide and you can maintain your health. Electric stingrays can kill people in some cases. And piranhas can attack even if you have a small bleeding wound.

Beware of mosquitoes, which carry malaria. Surely, you know that before traveling to Brazil, you should undergo a medical examination and get all the necessary vaccinations. It is better to prevent many diseases than to treat them later. By the way, do not ignore mosquito nets, they will also serve as good protection. And in the Amazon they are stretched over every bed.

Although not all animals are safe for humans, some do not cause any harm. On the contrary, they evoke admiration and smiles. For example:

1. Marmosets. These are tiny monkeys, weighing only about 100 grams. They rarely show themselves to humans, as they are very shy. However, they are the cutest creatures. If you are lucky enough to see this baby, you will definitely not remain indifferent.

2. Among the intellectual monkeys, the woolly monkey should be highlighted. Perhaps you will be able to see them, firstly, they are much larger than marmosets, and secondly, they live in groups of ten to seventy individuals. They are very interesting to watch.

3. Very unusual animals also live in the Amazon jungle - pacas. Imagine a rodent weighing about 10 kilograms, and even with hooves instead of claws. Our mice will not seem so scary to you. No, the packs will not attack you, they really love mangoes and avocados, and are good at climbing trees.

4. The armadillo is also an interesting animal. Armadillos weigh an average of 6 kg and feed on insects and worms. If you think that you can catch him, you are mistaken; he will gallop away from you and hide in a hole. Although he usually doesn't move that fast.

5. Another animal that is harmless to humans is the tapir, although it is the size of a pony. They are very shy. But if you really want to watch them, go to the river, they usually live there, as they love the cool air and swim. Tapirs have a small trunk that moves well. From the outside it looks funny.

6. Do you miss the bears? Brazil has its own ukumari bear. By the way, he is also a vegetarian, with the exception of insect larvae. He can get them with his claws. And so it usually feeds on roots and fruits. Don't be surprised, but sometimes he builds nests in a tree and lives there for several days until he eats all the fruits.

7. And, probably, the brightest and most cheerful representatives of the fauna of the Amazon are parrots. But where would we be without these talkative ones, beautiful birds. In addition, they quickly get used to people. By the way, therefore, near some hotels in the Amazon you can see a whole home zoo. Knowing what tourists want to see first, local residents feed parrots and monkeys, and they are happy with tasty and plentiful food, so they don’t hide from people, in case they get something else.

Amazon rain forests are at risk of extinction

Amazon Jungle not only unusual and interesting for researchers and tourists, they are also considered the lungs of the planet, as they produce sufficient amounts of oxygen. However, there is a danger that these majestic forests may disappear. Until 2011 itself global problem was deforestation in the Amazon. People cleared areas for arable land and for grazing domestic animals. However, over the course of several years, such land was depleted and became unsuitable for growing vegetables or grain crops, since it was not reclaimed and the environment was not taken care of. By the way, scientists claim that if deforestation is not stopped, this can lead to a sad outcome, a decrease in yield by approximately 30%. And over time, deforestation can lead to an environmental disaster, to the disappearance of plants and animals that are not adapted to another area.

That's why, deforestation in the Amazon must be suspended so as not to lose this wonder of the world.

In addition, the Amazon is the only home to two hundred thousand Indians, whose descendants have always lived on this land. And some of them are still isolated from civilization, they simply do not know how to live differently, and even if they meet people from another world, they are not very friendly towards them, because they are afraid that their life, their foundations and traditions may be destroyed.

If you are attracted Amazon nature, if you want to take a glimpse into the past, be sure to come to Brazil. You will be captivated by the primitiveness of the inhabitants, the amazing flora and fauna, and you will finally be convinced that life is wonderful.

Journey to the Amazon Jungle, video:

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Someone aptly noted that a person who finds himself in the Amazon forests experiences intense joy twice - when he first enters this “green paradise” and when he finally gets out of this “green hell”. We invite you to an amazing land unusually rich in flora and fauna. It is called the lungs of the planet, and the death of the Amazon forests threatens the world environmental disaster... and they die.

The Edge of Eternal Summer

The Amazon Basin is home to the world's largest tropical rainforest. Its borders are clearly delineated by the eastern foot of the Andes and the slopes of the Brazilian and Guiana highlands. The forest is located in nine countries, but most of it is in Brazil.

The equatorial climate is characterized by depressing monotony - humid and hot prevail all year round. air masses. Regardless of the season, the temperature fluctuates between 25–28 °C and even at night does not drop below 20 °C. But even such moderate heat is difficult to bear due to the high humidity and lack of coolness at night - you feel as if you were in a greenhouse in the summer.

But local residents do not need weather forecasters' forecasts. A day without rain is a unique phenomenon here. All year round Every new day begins with a cloudless morning. By mid-day, clouds roll in, the wind rises, and torrents of water fall to the ground amid deafening rumbles of thunder. After 2–3 hours, the rain ends and a quiet, clear night sets in.

Horizontal and vertical

The Amazon surprises with its richness of flora and fauna; the biodiversity of these forests is much greater than the forests of Asia and Africa. Species composition and the appearance of plantings changes depending on their “relationship” with rivers. In the Amazonian lowland, three types of forest vegetation are distinguished: forests in river valleys, flooded for several months a year (in the local language - “higapo”) and a short time(“Varzeya”), and forests on watershed areas, not flooded (“Ete”). There are also mangroves on the Atlantic coast.

Under the power of the rivers

Igapo forests are not as rich in vegetation diversity. Usually they are devoid of soil cover and filled with marshy silt, enveloping tree trunks to a height of several meters. Representatives of the flora with respiratory roots and support roots are often found. Lots of vines and epiphytes. And the surface of the waters is covered with various algae and aquatic plants, among which notable is the royal Victoria (from the Nymphaeaceae family), with leaves up to 2 m in diameter, capable of supporting a weight of up to 50 kg. Its flowers change color from white to purple during flowering.

The Varzea vegetation is not much richer in species. The main trees in these forests are palms. Representatives from the legume, mulberry (ficus genus), and euphorbia families are often found, including the famous rubber plant, Hevea. And in the lower tiers they are often different kinds theobroma (chocolate tree). These forests also contain many vines and epiphytes, including orchids. The rich grass cover contains an abundance of ferns, plants from the banana and bromeliad families.

But the “ete” forests are particularly lush and diverse. They can safely be considered the richest type of vegetation on Earth. There are no dominant trees here. Although the abundance of species is large, the number of plants of each species is usually small. Characteristic trees of the upper tiers are Bertolletia, or castaneiro (Brazil nut - a tree that often lives up to 1000 years, with a trunk diameter of 1-2 m), ceiba (sacred Mayan tree), palms, as well as plants from the laurel, myrtle, and mimosa families , legumes. There are many creeping, creeping plants, the stems of which are as thick as ropes. Ferns reach several meters in height, and grasses that do not grow in flooded areas are also found in the grass cover.

In the eastern part of the Amazon, the climate is already subequatorial, and deciduous tree species, patches of open forests and savannas appear on the watersheds; only the “igapó” and “varzei” stripes remain evergreen.

According to the World Fund wildlife(WWF), due global warming and deforestation could damage or destroy about half of the Amazon rainforest in 20 to 30 years. Already, due to climate change, droughts (contributing to forest fires) are becoming more frequent in this region.

Amazon Problems

Many people have heard that the Amazon forests are called green lungs Earth. All plants produce oxygen through photosynthesis and absorb carbon dioxide. But the Amazon rainforest produces about 50% of the planet's oxygen. Therefore, the death of this important “organ” can have the most dire consequences for the entire Earth.

In the 60s of the last century, intensive, uncontrolled logging began. Both banks of the Amazon between the mouth and the city of Manaus suffered the greatest devastation. Once upon a time, tropical rainforests stretched along the entire coast of Brazil (which is 8,500 km!), but today only 7% of them remain there.

Despite bans on timber exports, deforestation continues to rise. Trees are often cut down by poaching, floating them down rivers to seaports, and from there they are legally shipped to consumers. It’s even worse when forests are simply burned down for agricultural land. Fueling the destruction of forests is the increasing demand for soybeans - the area of ​​soybean fields is increasing. Selective logging is also very harmful - when only selected trees are cut down, while the forest around remains untouched. After all, at the same time, giant perennial trees disappear and simply thickets appear, the value of which in the existing ecosystem is much lower. Cutting down even one type of tree has a destructive effect on all tiers of the “forest house.”

In some areas they are now trying to revive the forest, and, of course, it is being restored. But such plantings contain only a small part of the original species diversity.

But in some places tropical forests have been completely turned into desert, as, for example, in the industrial zone near the Trombete River - one of the world's largest bauxite mining centers. Looking at how the wind raises clouds of dust from the cracked reddish ground, on which there is not the slightest sign of life, it is difficult to imagine that just 10 years ago this place was covered with thickets.

By cutting down a tropical forest, it is easy to turn its territory into a new Sahara. Rains very quickly wash away the top, fertile layer of soil that is not protected by plants. And the sun and wind complete their work.

Without thinking about the future...

The most terrible paradox is that the deforestation of the Amazon forests is, for the most part, completely unnecessary from the point of view of economic development. Now in the Amazon basin, as a result of inept use of land, the exploitation of agricultural land and pastures has ceased in areas equal to the territory of Germany. If these lands are rehabilitated, there will be no need to take territory away from the forest. Moreover, the soil of tropical forests cannot be called fertile. A farmer who has cleared a plot of forest for himself will be surprised to find that the productivity of the land sharply decreases after 2-3 years (at first, the ash from the burned forest serves as fertilizer). In the Amazon tropical forest, plants get nutrients not from deep layers of soil. Some of the substances come with raindrops, which “wash” all the plants on their way to the ground, and the other part comes as a result of the decomposition of forest “garbage” (fallen branches, fruits, leaves). Every year for 1 hectare tropical forest about 8 tons of litter is laid down. Processed by the residents of the “forest house” (termites drag it underground, mushrooms decompose it into mineral components), it turns into a highly nutritious fertilizer.

But you can benefit from the forest without destroying it. How many medicinal plants grow in this forest! It deserves the name of a huge natural pharmacy. In addition to natural medicines you can get fruits, oils, nuts, rubber...

A person who destroys this forest is like a farmer who eats the seeds stored for sowing to satisfy his immediate hunger, without thinking about supplies for the future.

We need to look at the forest from a different perspective - as a source of wealth, and not as an obstacle to getting rich. However, the incessant clouds of smoke over the Amazon remind us that this intention is not so easy to realize...