THE AMAZON

RAINFOREST
RHIAN KANSARA

YEAR 6L
15TH APRIL 2015

Introduction
Covering over 5,500,000 square kilometres, the Amazon
Rainforest (also known as Amazonia) spreads over vast
areas of exotic countries including Brazil, Peru and
Colombia, and many more South American countries
home to 2.5 million insects 3433 animals and 40,000
plant species.
There are 32,000 settlements in the Amazon Rainforest,
some of them being occupied 39,000 years ago. Though
these people rely on plants and animals for food, shelter
and medicines, they live hand in hand with the rainforest.
Currently this number is reducing.
As we humans continue to unlock the secrets of this awe
inspiring jungle to understand the world of biology, leap
forward in the kingdom of animals, and to find new foods
and lifesaving medicines, the threats are increasing for
the survival of the rainforest

Deforestation is one of the most potential threat that humans

create, and the reasons we cut down hundreds of trees every
year is because we need: cattle pasture space. Food is becoming
an increasing demand and cattle is one of the useful animals for
food. Also, Housing space is required due to increasing
population in the world, meaning habitats are being cut down for
housing. Medicines are also an issue, as trees are being cut
down for medicinal purposes. All may lead to the destruction of
the Amazon Rainforest. This manmade disaster would lead to
many species of plants and animals being on the verge of
extinction.

Poaching

Poaching is a rising issue in the Amazonia with poachers taking

more and more are threatened into extinction. In 2001, RENC
declared poaching the 3rd most profitable illegal activity in South
America, with 38 million birds and reptiles taken annually. With
this statistic, organizations such as WWF and RSPCA will find this
a source of worry. This should also be a worry for humans as
well, because extinction of species will lead to parts of the food
chain being taken, and eventually the whole chain being
destroyed. The reason why poachers kill these animals is to sell
the animals skin to the rich as clothes and medicine. Due to
this, the population of animals are decreasing.

Laws

As the years went on, the governments and

presidents of South America developed a set
of laws to protect the Amazon. Here they are.
Those responsible for destruction of
rainforest lands will be required to complete
full reforestation, except for small farmers,
who will only have to reforest 20 percent of
the land.
Landowners who do not register with the
Environmental Registry within five years will
face both fines and denial of bank loans.

Riverbanks will become less protected.

The Code only applies to land use post2008, allowing for previous environmental
degradation to go unpunished.

Organizations
These are some of the organizations that try
to protect the Amazonia.
Greenpeace International
STARO [Save The Amazon Rainforest
Organization]
WWF

Ways people can

save the amazon
rainforest
Donations

 Save an acre

Say no to palm oil- deforestation of palm

trees is a key contributor the destruction of
the Amazon Rainforest.

Eat less beef- 60-70% of deforestation

comes from cow ranching. Brazil is

2ndlargest beef exporter in the world,

behind India.

Furnish wisely- avoid furniture that is made

of Mahogany, Rosewood and Ebony. These
woods are endangered in the Amazon
Rainforest.

Reduce your consumption of fossil fuels- oil

extrication has increased dramatically in the
Amazon with sometimes devastating social

and environmental consequences. 70% of

the Peruvian Amazon is leased by oil
companies.

Travel green-Using bikes or simply walking

rather than using a car, as wood is made for
car interiors. If you visit a rainforest area,
make sure that your tourist donations go to
help local communities that support the
Amazon Rainforest.

Explorers

Name: Henry Walter Bates

Born: 8th February 1825
Died: 16th February 1892(Aged 67)
Nationality: British
Famous for: His expedition with Alfred Russel
Wallace to the Amazon Rainforest
Extra: First recorded person to account a scientific
mimicry (miming a person) in animals in the
Amazon Rainforest.

Name: John Zahm

Born: 11th June 1851
Died: 10th June 1851
Nationality: American
Famous for: His (disastrous) expedition to the River
Of Doubt in the Amazon.
Extra : He wrote 7 known books, and he was a Holy
Cross Priest, author, scientist and a South American
Explorer

Name: Percy Facewatt

Born: 18th August 1867
Disappeared: Mato Grosso, Brazil
Nationality: British
Famous For: His disappearance in the Amazon
Rainforest.
Extra: David Grann had an obsession of Percy
Facewatt and his son. Using maps and sketches of
the explorer, and a trip to the Amazon Rainforest,
he found out he was left to his fate with a hostile
tribe.