FOREST FIRES IN

AMAZON
By Nithin K
 Contents
◦ Definition of a rainforest
◦ Environment of Amazon
◦ Life in Amazon
◦ Causes of Forest fire
◦ Effects of forest fire
◦ Safety during forest fires
 What is a Rainforest ?

◦ Rainforests are characterized by a warm and wet climate with no substantial dry season: typically found
within 10 degrees north and south of the equator. Mean monthly temperatures exceed 18 °C (64 °F) during all
months of the year. Average annual rainfall is no less than 168 cm (66 in) and can exceed 1,000 cm (390 in)
although it typically lies between 175 cm (69 in) and 200 cm (79 in).
 THE ENVIRONMENT OF AMAZON.
Humid and warm, the region has all the typical attributes of a
tropical environment. Temperatures usually average 27.9 °C
during the dry season, and 25.8 °C during the rainy season.
Relative humidity is quite high at an average of 88% in the rainy
season and 77% in the dry season.
 Life in the Amazon
One in ten known species in the world lives in the Amazon rainforest.
This constitutes the largest collection of living plants and animal species
in the world.The region is home to about 2.5 million insect species, tens
of thousands of plants, and some 2,000 birds and mammals. To date, at
least 40,000 plant species, 2,200 fishes, 1,294 birds, 427 mammals, 428
amphibians, and 378 reptiles have been scientifically classified in the
region. One in five of all bird species are found in the Amazon
rainforest, and one in five of the fish species live in Amazonian rivers
and streams. Scientists have described between 96,660 and 128,843
invertebrate species in Brazil alone.
 How can there be fires in a rainforest ?
◦ Spontaneous fires are rare in the moist rainforest. Rather, workers
first cut the trees, leave them to dry and finally set fire to them
during the dry season. Usually, only the felled part is dry enough to
burn, and fires remain confined to the intended areas. In the
absence of transport or roads, the timber cannot be sold, and
burning is the easiest way to clear the land.It is particularly easy for
these “controlled” fires to lose control and propagate into forest
regions, which are then notoriously difficult to stop.
 How are Fires caused naturally ?
Whilst most fires in the Amazon are started by humans, this is not always the case. The three main causes
of forest fires are:
• Dry environment
• Lightning strikes
• Volcanic eruptions
The only one of those that we see a lot of in the tropical Amazon is lightning strikes, and a relatively dry
environment during El Nino years, which are often correlated with droughts in South America.
What are the Effects of Forest Fires ?
They found that since 2001, between 40,000 and 73,400 square
miles of Amazon rainforest have been impacted by fires,
affecting 95% of all Amazonian species and as many as 85% of
endangered species .With fires impacting 1,640 to 4,000 square
miles of forest, 2019 stands out as one of the most extreme years
for biodiversity impacts since 2009, when regulations limiting
deforestation were enforced.
 How are we affected ?
The Amazon rainforest produces approximately 20% of the world’s oxygen turnover.
This means that if the amazon rainforest burns out we will start to face a lack of oxygen .
Moreover People around the world, as well as locally, depend on the Amazon not just for food, water, wood
and medicines, but to help stabilise the climate, playing a critical role in global and regional carbon and water
cycles.
How to stay safe during a forest fire ?
◦ Keep smoke outside.
◦ Reduce your smoke exposure by wearing a respirator .
◦ Keep track of fires near you so you can be ready.
◦ Listen to the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio for emergency alerts.
◦ Pay attention to any health symptoms if you have asthma, COPD, heart disease, or are
pregnant. Get medical help if you need it.
 Conclusion
We must be more careful while lighting
campfires . The government should ensure
fire fighting resources near forests . We
should also reduce deforestation and stop
burning dry wood . Slash and burn
agricultural laborers should be careful .
BY K.NITHIN

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