Amazon Rainforest

Hydroelectric dams in the Amazon could be increasing carbon emissions by allowing vines to outnumber trees. Researchers from the University of Stirling claim vines called lianas, which have been popularised as Tarzan’s favourite form of transport, are much better suited than trees to adapting to the ‘forest fragmentation’ caused by the supposedly clean form of […]

Brazil has opened up nearly a third of a vast national reserve in the Amazon to mining. The area, which is thought to be rich in gold and other minerals, covers 17,800 square miles across the northern states of Amapa and Para – this is an area larger than Denmark. A decree from President Michel […]

The Amazon rainforest could be at risk of unprecedented levels of deforestation. That’s according to Philip Fearnside, Professor at the National Amazon Research Institute, who says last year alone, more than 3,000 square miles of plants and trees were cut down. This is a 29% higher deforestation rate than the previous year. Brazilian President Michel Temer is currently trying to ease environmental protections in an […]