Many people wonder why is the Amazon Rainforest important, and the significance of this massive South American region.
Over 54 million hectares in size (which is similar to the size of France), the Amazon is known by most as an important part of the global ecosystem. However as we’ll see later on, its benefits and uses extend much further than simply regulating the climate – and the destruction and disappearance of this giant region would have truly massive impacts for both South America and the rest of the planet.
In this guide we’ll explore everything you need to know about the question of why is the Amazon Rainforest important, and the lesser-known benefits of this incredible region. As well as exploring what would happen to our planet if the Amazon disappeared, we’ll also answer your most frequently asked questions in our FAQ section.
Why Is The Amazon Rainforest Important?
Often regarded as “the lungs of our planet”, the Amazon Rainforest is crucial for regulating weather systems and carbon emissions both in South America and across all the rest of the planet. This resilient and adaptive environment once absorbed over 2 billion tonnes of carbon impact (CO2) annually as recently as only 50 years ago, which helps to keep our planet healthy and vibrant.
This spectacular region also houses massive levels of beautiful and unique wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. It’s estimated that over 10% of all living species are found in the Amazon Rainforest – including over 20% of all known bird species such as the famous Harpy Eagle and Macaw Parrots. This also includes over 13% of the world’s total trees, many of which don’t just offset carbon emissions but also have important medicinal and scientific value for humans.
5 Incredible Benefits And Powers Of The Amazon Jungle
From regulating earth’s air quality and temperatures to its diverse medicinal uses, let’s look at the biggest benefits of the Amazon Jungle.
Influence On The Global Climate
The Amazon Rainforest is responsible for recycling over a billion tonnes of carbon emissions each year, which helps to slow down the effects of global warming and keep our planet healthy. Unfortunately this has begun to drop heavily in the last several decades, due to further pollution and loss of the Rainforest.
The Natural Pharmacy Full Of Medicinal Plants
By far one of the most incredible benefits and reasons why the Amazon Rainforest is important, this rainforest region is home to natural ingredients that are used to make over 25% of all Western pharmaceuticals – and that’s with less than 5% of all plants here have been studied by scientists! This includes remedies for conditions like Parkinson’s, Leukaemia and Malaria – and during an Immersive Amazon Rainforest Tour we can learn more about them with experienced native jungle guides.
Earth’s Biggest Reservoir Of Freshwater
It’s estimated that around 200,000 litres of freshwater enter the Atlantic Ocean from the Amazon River every second. This accounts for over 20% of all river water that enters oceans across the planet, and provides a crucial role in balancing the levels of salinity from up to 150km from its coasts – which harbours unique marine ecosystems and wildlife.
Home To Hundreds Of Indigenous Groups
Given its sheer size and spread over various countries like Brazil, Peru and Bolivia – the Amazon Rainforest is home to over 400 different indigenous groups. Some of these groups are well-known such as the Shipibo and the Ese Eija of Tambopata, while many others are truly uncontacted and prefer to stay hidden deep within the jungle.
Planet Earth’s Human Lungs
The Amazon Rainforest is one of the main recycling engines of our planet, often referred to as the lungs of Earth. It’s estimated that this relatively small area of the World (when compared to the total land mass) produces over 20% of the total oxygen found on our planet – which really is astonishing and further proves why the Amazon Rainforest is so important.
Frequently Asked Questions About Why The Amazon Rainforest Is Important
In this section we’ll now explore the most frequent questions we get about why the Amazon Rainforest is important, as well as anything else you need to know.
What Are 5 Important Facts About The Amazon Rainforest?
There are many unique and important facts about the Amazon to know about. Firstly, the Amazon Rainforest is vital for climate regulation, which releases 20 billion tonnes of water into the atmosphere daily. Secondly, the Amazon River is the world’s second longest river. Thirdly, this region alone holds 10% of all known animal species on our planet. Fourthly, the Amazon covers roughly 40% of the South American continent. Fifthly, over 2 million indigenous people from 400+ groups live in the Amazon.
How Much Of The Amazon Has Disappeared?
Over just the past 50 years, roughly 20% of the Amazon Rainforest has disappeared due to human activity and exploitation – with a further 38% of the jungle having been damaged by fires. This destroyed area is nearly the size of France (roughly 54 million hectares), with the main drivers of deforestation including cattle ranching, illegal logging, mining large-scale farming for foods like soy.
Can We Survive Without The Amazon?
The total destruction of the Amazon Rainforest would have serious consequences for humans and the rest of the wildlife – and that’s on all corners of the planet. South America itself would turn mostly into desert and would face agricultural collapse, while global climate would become even more unstable which would lead to more frequent catastrophes and hotter temperatures.
Overview Of Why The Amazon Rainforest Is Important
And that’s all for this guide on why the Amazon is important.
Home to incredible and unique animal species, as well as beautiful canopies that stretch as far as the eye can see, the Amazon Rainforest is a pristine region that is one of the most unique of all found on our planet. However its benefits are not just limited to beautiful scenery, with this region being an important regulator of the global ecosystem – and today we are already beginning to see impacts from its destruction that has ramped up in just the last 50 years alone.
Are you looking to explore the Amazon Rainforest in the most sustainable way possible? Here at TroncoTambopata, we operate Our Unforgettable 3 Day Amazon Tour here in Peru, where you will spot exotic animals, explore this incredible jungle from native guides, and learn about the unique medicinal plants and trees here that help to keep our planet and people living at their most healthiest.