MANAUS
Pre-reflection
The Amazon rainforest is less known to science than the surface of the moon and is the most ecologically diverse ecosystem on the planet. The Amazon River hold 1/6 of the world’s freshwater. Six months out of the year the wet season occurs which causes flooding in the region, creating a flooded forest. As a resource utilized by many, overfishing has brought about smaller fish and declining fisheries. Regulations of when to fish have been established, but not strictly enforced allowing for continued exploitative practices. The health of the over 2,000 fish species is dependent upon the health of the floodplains. Many of these species feed from the fruit that trees bear during the peek of wet season, as the water can assist with seed disbursement. However, these trees are threatened by illegal logging for exotic hardwood within this ecosystem. The removal of these trees also damage surrounding organisms because of the use of machinery used during the process. The improved available technology has increased this deforestation at an unprecedented rate. This balanced relationship has been thrown off balance. The Brazilian Environmental Institute is the agency that oversees the activities of illegal saw mill operations within the country. It is possible for logging companies to harvest timber in respect to the environment that is also profitable, but few have taken to this alternative. Gold mining has also become a danger to increased deforestation and environmental damage. In the pursuit of this precious mineral, tons of earth must be moved in order to find the gold. Hazardous waste, which includes highly toxic mercury, is produced by the mining operation and dumped into waterways, bioaccumulating in fish.
The Amazon rainforest is less known to science than the surface of the moon and is the most ecologically diverse ecosystem on the planet. The Amazon River hold 1/6 of the world’s freshwater. Six months out of the year the wet season occurs which causes flooding in the region, creating a flooded forest. As a resource utilized by many, overfishing has brought about smaller fish and declining fisheries. Regulations of when to fish have been established, but not strictly enforced allowing for continued exploitative practices. The health of the over 2,000 fish species is dependent upon the health of the floodplains. Many of these species feed from the fruit that trees bear during the peek of wet season, as the water can assist with seed disbursement. However, these trees are threatened by illegal logging for exotic hardwood within this ecosystem. The removal of these trees also damage surrounding organisms because of the use of machinery used during the process. The improved available technology has increased this deforestation at an unprecedented rate. This balanced relationship has been thrown off balance. The Brazilian Environmental Institute is the agency that oversees the activities of illegal saw mill operations within the country. It is possible for logging companies to harvest timber in respect to the environment that is also profitable, but few have taken to this alternative. Gold mining has also become a danger to increased deforestation and environmental damage. In the pursuit of this precious mineral, tons of earth must be moved in order to find the gold. Hazardous waste, which includes highly toxic mercury, is produced by the mining operation and dumped into waterways, bioaccumulating in fish.