Student Article

The Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the "lungs of the planet," is facing an unprecedented threat from fires and deforestation. In August 2019, the world was shocked by reports of nearly 50,000 fires in the Amazon during the first eight months of the year, an 84% increase from the same period in 2018.

Does the Amazon rainforest catch fire naturally?

These fires, primarily set to clear land for agriculture, pose a significant risk to the entire rainforest ecosystem. Unlike fire-adapted ecosystems such as the African savannah, the Amazon rainforest is not equipped to handle fires. The rainforest's wet environment prevents natural wildfires, meaning that all fires in the Amazon are the result of human activity. While some landowners have legal permits to clear up to 20% of their property, many fires are set illegally.

How do fires harm the rainforest?

Dr. Adriane Esquivel-Muelbert, an ecologist at the University of Birmingham, studies the impact of climate change on forests, particularly in Brazil. She explains that fires cause complete destruction, making it difficult for the forest to recover. As trees die, the surrounding areas become hotter and drier, creating a feedback loop that exacerbates the problem. The closed canopy of the rainforest, which provides shade and protection, is compromised, allowing more sunlight to penetrate and further drying out the forest.

What could happen if the fires continue?

If the current trend continues, the Amazon rainforest could reach a tipping point where it transitions into a savannah-like environment. This process, referred to as "savannahfication," would result in a significant loss of biodiversity and reduce the rainforest's capacity to act as a carbon sink. The remaining rainforest areas would be increasingly threatened by the hotter, drier conditions of the surrounding savannah. While the tipping point remains a hypothesis, researchers have observed shifts in species composition within the rainforest. Droughts favor more drought-tolerant species, while trees adapted to rainforest conditions are experiencing higher mortality rates. To prevent this transformation, it is essential to preserve the forest and curb deforestation.

The majority of the Brazilian Amazon is indigenous land, and deforestation not only impacts the environment but also the Indigenous communities who call the rainforest home. Protecting the Amazon requires global cooperation and responsible consumption of products that do not contribute to deforestation.

© Amy Arthur / Our Media