Amazon fauna under threat

Greater biodiversity on the planet suffers after fires in the region

The Amazon Forest is home to about 20% of all fauna on planet Earth. Spread over about 6.7 million hectares, species such as the pink boto, the rooster-of-the-saw and the tortoise-killer-of-the-woodsstand out. By 2017, 1,294 species of birds, 4 27 of mammals, 378 of reptiles, 3,000 species of fish and 400 of amphibians, more than 100,000 invertebrates and 40,000 plant species were accounted for. In addition, according to the report of the World Fund for Nature (WWF) there are still 381 new species in the forest. Of which 216 new plants, 93 fish, 32 amphibians, 19 reptiles, a bird, 18 mammals and two fossil mammals.

In contrast, the region’s rich fauna is at risk after the fire that spread through the forest. This is because, the destruction of flora, consequently, affects fauna. Carbonization is the first of the consequences that reaches the animals. So that they cause disabling or lethal injuries to the animals affected. Another risk factor for the Amazonian fauna occurs due to the loss of its habitats. As a result, they may die for lack of shelter and / or food.

 Fruits of The Amazon can be of great value for the protection of Amazonian fauna. That’s because, our project aims to reforest the Brazilian Amazon with fruit trees. Thus, would be directly linked to the process of recovering the habitat and food source of most of the species native to the forest. Among them, we would contribute to the soil fauna – the most affected by fires and deforestation.

Specimens of vertebrate and invertebrate microorganisms that inhabit the soil, such as earthworms, arachnids, beetles and other insects are essential to keep the flora alive and healthy. Thus, a soil rich in nutrients, healthy and fertile depends on microorganisms. For this, a bold project such as that of Fruits of The Amazon is needed to replant fruit trees in part of the Amazon that will give new life to the soil and region, thus bringing new life to the native fauna.

Written and edited by: Leonardo Sevilhano