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THE AMAZING AMAZON: Conservation

Year 3 and below.

Conservationists

People called conservationists are working to save the rain forest. Some are working to help people who live near the rain forest make money from tourism. Tourism is travel for pleasure. They invite people to see and learn about the rain forests. They hope this will help local people make a living without damaging the rain forest. Conservationists are also trying to find less harmful ways to farm and harvest rain forest products.
Indigenous community's own brand of ecotourism
Source: ABC Splash, 2017
Sustainable management of the forest

Clearing and burning the rainforest causes irreversible damage such as loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, flooding and climate change. So, sustainable use of the forest is essential. Sustainable development will meet the needs of Brazil's population without compromising the needs of future generations.

Possible strategies include:

  • Agro-forestry - growing trees and crops at the same time. This lets farmers take advantage of shelter from the canopy of trees. It prevents soil erosion and the crops benefit from the nutrients from the dead organic matter.
  • Selective logging - trees are only felled when they reach a particular height. This allows young trees a guaranteed life span and the forest will regain full maturity after around 30-50 years.
  • Education - ensuring those involved in exploitation and management of the forest understand the consequences behind their actions.
  • Afforestation - the opposite of deforestation. If trees are cut down, they are replaced to maintain the canopy.
  • Forest reserves - areas protected from exploitation.
  • Monitoring - use of satellite technology and photography to check that any activities taking place are legal and follow guidelines for sustainability.
Source: BBC GCSE Bitesize, 2014

Using tropical forests sustainably

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