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Brazil’s Amazon Records Historic Low in Forest Fires

Kumari Sonali

Brazil’s Amazon Records Historic Low in Forest Fires:

Forest fires in Brazil’s Amazon declined to their lowest level since records began in 1985, marking a sharp recovery from the severe fire season of 2024 and highlighting progress in forest conservation.

  • A delayed rainy season, reduced deforestation, and greater community vigilance prevented the spread of fires and reduced combustible forest fuel.
  • Most fires in 2024 were man-made, linked to agricultural land clearing, deforestation, and illegal mining.
  • Scientists warned that a possible Super El Niño could bring an extended dry season, increasing the likelihood of future forest fires.
  • The Amazon Rainforest, the world’s largest tropical rainforest, covers about 6 million sq. km across nine South American territories, with nearly 60% located in Brazil.
  • It spans the Amazon River Basin, the world’s largest river basin.
  • It is bounded by the Guiana Highlands (North), Andes Mountains (West), Brazilian Plateau (South), and the Atlantic Ocean (East).
  • Characterized by high rainfall, high humidity, and uniformly warm temperatures, supporting a dense evergreen rainforest ecosystem.
  • The Amazon hosts nearly 10% of the world’s known wildlife species, making it one of the planet’s richest centres of biodiversity.
  • Notable flora include Brazil nut, rubber, mahogany, cedar, and rosewood, while fauna include the jaguar, capybara, tapir, sloth, anaconda, caiman, toucan, and macaw.
  • Important protected regions include Yasuni National Park (Ecuador), Jaú National Park, Tumucumaque National Park, Pico da Neblina National Park (Brazil), Manu National Park and Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve (Peru), and Amacayacu National Natural Park (Colombia).
  • Often called the “Lungs of the Earth,” the Amazon functions as a major carbon sink, helping regulate the global climate and supporting ecological balance.
  • Originating in the Peruvian Andes, the Amazon River is the world’s largest river by discharge and the second-longest river after the Nile. Major tributaries include the Rio Negro, Madeira, and Xingu.