Tropical Rainforest - Amazon

 The biggest tropical rainforest in the world, the Amazon is renowned for its biodiversity and spans much of northeastern Brazil as well as Colombia, Peru, and other South American nations. It is the treasury of miracles as it holds more than 40,000 plant species, 1000+ varieties of animals also the blessed presence of a 6480 km long river, the Amazon river which is the second-longest river in the world. Amazon rainforest that covers 1/5^th part of Southern America is the largest rainforest in the world with 6.9 million square kilometers spanning over 9 countries in which the most part lies in Brazil.
In this article, we’re going to know more about the beautiful Amazon rainforest.

• History of Amazon rainforest

 The story of the Amazon rainforest and river holds millions of years of history. Formerly, North America, Antarctica, Australia, and Africa were part of a large land called Gondwanaland. Due to years of evolution, Gondwanaland divided to form a large island, South America then this southern part collided with the North American part to form a massive land region where many more organisms resorted to evolve the tremendous Amazon rainforest. Earlier, the Amazon river was a lake and it was during the ice age that it starts to flow towards the east as a river, thus its bank became the chalet of innumerable species. In the Amazon, more than 30 million people, including 350 indigenous and ethnic groups, rely on nature for traditional remedies, clothing, and agriculture. The condition of the Amazon is directly related to the condition of the globe. The 90–140 billion metric tonnes of carbon found in rainforests contribute to the stabilization of local and global climate. The Amazon also recycles 50% to 75% of the yearly rainfall through its trees, pumping around 7 trillion tonnes of water into the atmosphere each year. 

•  Home of tribal groups

There were around 6 million tribal troops 500 years before in the Amazon rainforest whereas, by the beginning of the 20^th century, these 6 million tribal groups were cut down to 25,000 groups due to deforestation and the exploitation of European intruders. With the involvement of the Brazilian foundation FUNAI, their protection was restored and rendered them with accommodation facilities. This increased the groups to 3,50,000 whereas around 50 tribal groups are dwelling there without any external alliances.

•  Vegetation 

 The Amazon jungle, which is in South America, is home to more than 60,000 different plant species. The Amazon Jungle makes up 20% of the world's natural forest land. New and significant plant species are frequently found by scientists, and many of them have medical uses. It’s estimated that over 80,000 varieties of plant varieties are found there like Brazil nut tree, heliconia plant, 100 variations of orchid, and 1000 species of pandanus. Medicines for many deadly diseases have been extracted from the plants over there and it also has shrubs that can defend against the attack of enemies like the Ant tree that dwells numerous ants to attack the ones who come to pluck its flowers. Kapok trees that provide shelter for many species and the wide collection of palm trees are also remarkable vegetative beauties in the Amazon rainforest.

•   Array of animals

One of the last remaining habitats on Earth for jaguars, harpy eagles, and pink river dolphins, as well as sloths, black spider monkeys, and poison dart frogs, is the Amazon. It has more than 370 different species of reptiles, 40,000 plant species, and one out of every ten species known to exist on Earth. Amazon rainforest lodge varieties of snakes that range from harmless to extremely poisonous ones like Bushmaster and other Russel’s vipers. The largest snake in the world,  Anaconda weighs 250 kg, 9 meters long and the eighth largest snake Boa can be also seen here. Big-sized Bullet ants that cause extreme pain by their bite are bestowed with incredible communication with their companions. They are used for certain rituals associated with the tribal groups as the men have to tolerate the pain caused by the ant bite and their valor is thus proved. The most vulnerable species of Otters, Howler monkeys, tiny Capuchin monkeys, Pygmy Marmoset, Spider monkeys, and squirrel monkeys are also astounding dwellers of the Amazon. Though there are 2000 varieties of birds, more than 20 varieties of them are Amazon parrots and the dreadful Piranhas are also a visual treat for you.

What effects is climate change having on the Amazon? 

The networks of water and trees that support wildlife are in danger of being disrupted by climate change. Droughts of historic proportions have been generated by higher temperatures and less rain. In 2005 and 2010, the Amazon saw its worst droughts in a century. Long dry spells ruin fisheries, destroy crops, and cause forest fires. This may cause substantial changes in the composition of ecosystems and a loss of species. In addition to assisting farmers with crop protection from heavy rains and droughts, WWF also works to guarantee that local species can adapt to a warming planet.

Interesting facts about this beautiful rainforest-

1. It's absurdly large-
More specifically, 2.5 million square miles. Nine countries in Latin America make up the largest rainforest on earth. In fact, it would be the ninth largest nation in the world if it were a country in and of itself.

2. Numerous people also reside there-

Although the immense rainforest may conjure up ideas of strange and possibly dangerous creatures, it also has a sizeable human population. The Amazon is home to some 21 million people, including an estimated 50 isolated tribes that have not yet communicated with Western civilization.

3. Somebody swam the whole river-

Martin Strel, a guy, attempted the marathon swim in 2007, swimming for up to ten hours every day for an astonishing 66 days.

4. There are several of our food and medication sources-

The Amazon rainforest is home to almost 80% of the world's food species, including coffee, hence in our opinion, it should be protected. Regarding medicine, barely 1% of plant species have had their medicinal potential evaluated, despite the fact that more than 25% of contemporary medications contain substances from the Amazon. Given this, it is logical to assume that the cancer cure is present someplace.

 5. Africa is necessary for its survival-

The Amazon needs phosphorus in its topsoil and a constant supply of fresh dust to survive. Particles are gathered up in the Sahara desert and flown over the Atlantic before resting in the Amazon, according to a recent study that used satellite data and sophisticated dust cloud modeling tools. Surprisingly, the world's largest (non-polar) desert is what feeds the biggest and most diverse rainforest on the planet.

Amazon rainforest is where nature’s supreme beauty and depiction are fully imbibed. It is worth a visit as it shows nature's beauty in all its glory!