The fires that have plagued the Amazon for weeks are not limited only to this region in Brazil. In addition, large areas in Bolivia and Paraguay have also been prey to llamas.
However, the impact of these fires located in South America is not limited to this part of the world, but they affect the entire planet.We tell you here why it matters to burn this rainforest - the largest in the world with 6.7 million square kilometers - and what is at risk because of the flames.
- More than 40,000 species of plants
According to the World Wide Fund for Nature, the Amazon is home to more than 40,000 species of plants.
The Amazon "is home to 40% of the remaining rainforest in the world, 25% of its terrestrial biodiversity and more species of fish than any other river system," says a May World Bank article.
Many of the plants that live in tropical forests such as the Amazon are used to make medicines, including anti-cancer drugs as well as beauty products.
- More than 6,000 species of animals
To date, 427 species of mammals, 1,300 birds, 378 reptiles, more than 400 amphibians and about 3,000 species of freshwater fish have been discovered, including the recently discovered famous "vegetarian piranha."
If so, our Amazon happens to be like this
