Amazon Basin

Spanning approximately 6.7 million square kilometers across nine South American countries, the Amazon Basin is home to an unparalleled variety of life. It contains at least 10 percent of the world's known biodiversity, including a vast array of endemic plant and animal species. The region also supports over 47 million people, including approximately 2.2 million Indigenous people from hundreds of different ethnic groups who rely on the ecosystem for their livelihoods and cultural heritage. The basin plays a fundamental role in the global climate by storing massive amounts of carbon in its vegetation and soils. Estimates of this carbon storage capacity range from 123 billion to 200 billion tons. Through a process of moisture recycling, the forest releases water vapor that generates significant rainfall, influencing weather patterns far beyond the basin itself. The Amazon River is the largest free-flowing river in the world, accounting for 15 to 22 percent of the total river discharge into the Earth's oceans. Despite its importance, the Amazon is under intense pressure. Approximately 17 to 18 percent of the forest has been lost to deforestation, with an additional 17 percent degraded by activities such as logging, mining, and the expansion of cattle ranching and industrial agriculture. These activities often utilize slash-and-burn techniques, which introduce fire into an ecosystem that is not naturally fire-adapted. The combination of deforestation, climate change, and fire is pushing the basin toward a potential tipping point. Scientists warn that if 20 to 25 percent of the forest is lost, the ecosystem may lose its ability to sustain itself, potentially transitioning into a drier, savanna-like state. This shift would have irreversible consequences, including mass species extinctions and the release of vast amounts of stored carbon, further accelerating global climate change. Recent years have seen an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, particularly droughts, which exacerbate the risk of wildfires. These conditions have already caused some parts of the Amazon to shift from being a net carbon sink to a net carbon source, meaning they release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than they absorb. Protecting the remaining forest and supporting the stewardship of Indigenous communities are considered essential strategies for maintaining the integrity of this vital global ecosystem.