Land of the Flooded Forest
Summary
The video,Land of the Flooded Forest described the history of the Amazon which started off as a single continent that broke into plates, and collided with another plate, forcing the Andes upward. The Andes on the west blocked the Amazon. The flow of water once had a cycle from east to west. The drainage Basin is as large as the USA. The Amazon forest to be dry for half of the year. Every year floodwater from rain overflows the riverbanks and invades the land. The floodwater can cause flooded forest up to 30 miles in land on either side of the river. Often locals have their houses on stilts but if not, the people must relocate. Their chances of surviving would not be very high if otherwise. In the wet season there is no forest floor to walk on. Out of six months of the year, people will notice were birds used to fly, fish now swim.
The Amazon Basin has the richest bird breed, with a variety of many different species as well as the greatest diversity of fish than any other river in the world. Up to two thousand species with many being undiscovered. The video discussed various species. One of them being dolphins, which are mammals that have poor eyesight. The pink dolphins are said to be cursed and have been killed in the past for “causing bad health and impregnating women.” The water monkey is known for their skills at jumping out of the water to catch its prey. The largest freshwater turtle is found in the Amazon Basin. This turtle lies up to a hundred eggs and does not return until it is time to nest again in another year. The Bald Uakari, is very unique and has a red face. The brighter the red face the healthier the monkey is. Their face does not turn red until adulthood. Their diets consist of 80% fruit and they weigh less than ten pounds. The Amazon Sloth spends most of its time sleeping, up to twelve hours a day. This creature feeds only on leaves and requires a coat to maintain its body heat. The sloth doesn’t move too well on land but can move comfortably in the water.
The rain flow starts in December and ends in May, with May being the wettest month. Locals say in the mouth of May it rains nearly everyday. The trees supply much of the forest humidity. In the dry season locals grow bananas and rice. The locals consumed a flour based stuffing with every dish as well. Many fish head up stream after the flood season. Even with the constant workload, these people are almost always in debt. They earn their way from trading at a local fish Market in Manaus. Many of the sellers are selling illegal goods. That being endangered fish. One of these fish is called the Tambaqui, a high valued fish of the Amazon and also one of the largest. Known as the king of fish. The locals thrived on the gold industry. This led to mercury going into the fish, causing health issues to not only the fish but for the people consuming these fish. It is said that the rainforest is disappearing at a rate of twenty football fields per minute!
Golden Amazon
Summary
The Video Golden Amazon discusses the deforestation among the Amazon rainforest. The main threat is the timber industry and illegal logging. The video was filmed by an outsider who filmed the process of the illegal logging as well as conducted an anonymous interview with one of the workers in the timber industry. The interview was anonymous due to the fact that if a worker was caught doing an interview, they would be in much danger. When the workers are cutting down timber that is nearly three times as old as they are, they are causing a significant environmental impact. Each day they cut 17 cubic meters of timber which is equal to 150 trees. The illegal logging happens at a rapid pace. This is because of the equipment they use to cut down the timber. The sound can linger kilometers away from the location. If the workers are caught they can go to jail for their illegal actions. However, that often does not happen. The narrator then works with a Brazilian environmental institute and discuss that the logging companies must conduct an environmental impact statement for the area they are cutting. If an environmental impact statement is not conducted, the then are punished with fines. Although there are many illegal logging companies in Brazil, there are sustainable logging companies as well. This companies study the consciences of their actions when cutting as well as plant three trees for every one tree that is cut down.
The film also discusses the respect the fisherman have towards environment. They understand that the fish are scares and must only fish in a sustainable way. There once were many more fish in the Amazon River then there are today. However, there are individuals that use the fishes skins a profitable industry. They make shoes, clothes and handbags when the remains of the fishes skin. There are also individuals out there that sell endangered species on the markets of Brazil. The film introduces another human environmental impact, illegal mining. This illegal mining happens 40 meters deep underground and is very dangerous. Many individuals do not survive the effects of mining. Only 1% of land contains gold but that does not stop workers in their searches for gold. These individuals work every day for hours and have no holidays off. With such a constant hurt for gold, these individuals are destroying the landscape and the ecological around it as well as causing damage to their health.
Wildlife of Brazils Amazon
Summary
The national geographic video goes in depth about the Amazon rainforest species and how adaptation is key to survival. The Amazon is the largest rainforest and hold the greatest diversity. Unfortunately, the landscape is changing at a rapid pace. During the months of June and October, rainfall only occurs a few times. This gives the Amazon a chance to dry-out and allows different predators species to arise such as the Black Cayman which considered a living fossils and is one of the largest predators in the Amazon basin. They work in packs and hurt for flocks of birds as well as fish. The Amazon River flows for 6,000 kilometers and is comprised of many unique species. Another deathly creature found in the Amazon is the borrowing tarantella. These creatures work together with the dotted humming frog for survival. The dotted humming frog feeds off of the ants that eats the spiders eggs, in turn the spider protects the frog from predators. Another symbiotic relationship found in the Amazon Rainforest is between the Brazilian nut tree, bees and rodents.
The video then discusses the environmental impacts illegal logging has caused. Up too 80% of logging is illegal. The government of Brazil have put in place strict rules against illegal logging, however it is hard to protect an area that is said to be larger than India. On a daily basis the Amazon rainforest loses 19 square kilometers of forest. Not only does the Amazon provide many ecological benefits, it is also said to be the worlds medical chest. There are cancer fighting drugs that come from the rainforest. Today only 1% of plants in the Amazon are tested for medical benefits.
The video discusses the survival of land species as well as aquatic species in the dry season. The Brazilian Mata-Mata is another deadly creature found in the Amazon River. Its name means to kill. Although there is many frightening things able the Amazon, there are also many beautiful things occurring, such as the mating of the Amazon River dolphin occurring in the dry season. They call for their mates by throwing around a piece of driftwood in order to bring attraction to them. The dry season allows for many species to thrive when they otherwise could not. Many species such as turtle, lay their eggs during the dry season. The Amazon River otter also benefits from the dry season. They use the dry area to make a home for their babies to grow in. These species have made adaptions towards the changes that occur in the Amazon rainforest, however they have not adapted to the changes humans are causes towards our environment which is directly harming the species that live there.
Summary
The video,Land of the Flooded Forest described the history of the Amazon which started off as a single continent that broke into plates, and collided with another plate, forcing the Andes upward. The Andes on the west blocked the Amazon. The flow of water once had a cycle from east to west. The drainage Basin is as large as the USA. The Amazon forest to be dry for half of the year. Every year floodwater from rain overflows the riverbanks and invades the land. The floodwater can cause flooded forest up to 30 miles in land on either side of the river. Often locals have their houses on stilts but if not, the people must relocate. Their chances of surviving would not be very high if otherwise. In the wet season there is no forest floor to walk on. Out of six months of the year, people will notice were birds used to fly, fish now swim.
The Amazon Basin has the richest bird breed, with a variety of many different species as well as the greatest diversity of fish than any other river in the world. Up to two thousand species with many being undiscovered. The video discussed various species. One of them being dolphins, which are mammals that have poor eyesight. The pink dolphins are said to be cursed and have been killed in the past for “causing bad health and impregnating women.” The water monkey is known for their skills at jumping out of the water to catch its prey. The largest freshwater turtle is found in the Amazon Basin. This turtle lies up to a hundred eggs and does not return until it is time to nest again in another year. The Bald Uakari, is very unique and has a red face. The brighter the red face the healthier the monkey is. Their face does not turn red until adulthood. Their diets consist of 80% fruit and they weigh less than ten pounds. The Amazon Sloth spends most of its time sleeping, up to twelve hours a day. This creature feeds only on leaves and requires a coat to maintain its body heat. The sloth doesn’t move too well on land but can move comfortably in the water.
The rain flow starts in December and ends in May, with May being the wettest month. Locals say in the mouth of May it rains nearly everyday. The trees supply much of the forest humidity. In the dry season locals grow bananas and rice. The locals consumed a flour based stuffing with every dish as well. Many fish head up stream after the flood season. Even with the constant workload, these people are almost always in debt. They earn their way from trading at a local fish Market in Manaus. Many of the sellers are selling illegal goods. That being endangered fish. One of these fish is called the Tambaqui, a high valued fish of the Amazon and also one of the largest. Known as the king of fish. The locals thrived on the gold industry. This led to mercury going into the fish, causing health issues to not only the fish but for the people consuming these fish. It is said that the rainforest is disappearing at a rate of twenty football fields per minute!
Golden Amazon
Summary
The Video Golden Amazon discusses the deforestation among the Amazon rainforest. The main threat is the timber industry and illegal logging. The video was filmed by an outsider who filmed the process of the illegal logging as well as conducted an anonymous interview with one of the workers in the timber industry. The interview was anonymous due to the fact that if a worker was caught doing an interview, they would be in much danger. When the workers are cutting down timber that is nearly three times as old as they are, they are causing a significant environmental impact. Each day they cut 17 cubic meters of timber which is equal to 150 trees. The illegal logging happens at a rapid pace. This is because of the equipment they use to cut down the timber. The sound can linger kilometers away from the location. If the workers are caught they can go to jail for their illegal actions. However, that often does not happen. The narrator then works with a Brazilian environmental institute and discuss that the logging companies must conduct an environmental impact statement for the area they are cutting. If an environmental impact statement is not conducted, the then are punished with fines. Although there are many illegal logging companies in Brazil, there are sustainable logging companies as well. This companies study the consciences of their actions when cutting as well as plant three trees for every one tree that is cut down.
The film also discusses the respect the fisherman have towards environment. They understand that the fish are scares and must only fish in a sustainable way. There once were many more fish in the Amazon River then there are today. However, there are individuals that use the fishes skins a profitable industry. They make shoes, clothes and handbags when the remains of the fishes skin. There are also individuals out there that sell endangered species on the markets of Brazil. The film introduces another human environmental impact, illegal mining. This illegal mining happens 40 meters deep underground and is very dangerous. Many individuals do not survive the effects of mining. Only 1% of land contains gold but that does not stop workers in their searches for gold. These individuals work every day for hours and have no holidays off. With such a constant hurt for gold, these individuals are destroying the landscape and the ecological around it as well as causing damage to their health.
Wildlife of Brazils Amazon
Summary
The national geographic video goes in depth about the Amazon rainforest species and how adaptation is key to survival. The Amazon is the largest rainforest and hold the greatest diversity. Unfortunately, the landscape is changing at a rapid pace. During the months of June and October, rainfall only occurs a few times. This gives the Amazon a chance to dry-out and allows different predators species to arise such as the Black Cayman which considered a living fossils and is one of the largest predators in the Amazon basin. They work in packs and hurt for flocks of birds as well as fish. The Amazon River flows for 6,000 kilometers and is comprised of many unique species. Another deathly creature found in the Amazon is the borrowing tarantella. These creatures work together with the dotted humming frog for survival. The dotted humming frog feeds off of the ants that eats the spiders eggs, in turn the spider protects the frog from predators. Another symbiotic relationship found in the Amazon Rainforest is between the Brazilian nut tree, bees and rodents.
The video then discusses the environmental impacts illegal logging has caused. Up too 80% of logging is illegal. The government of Brazil have put in place strict rules against illegal logging, however it is hard to protect an area that is said to be larger than India. On a daily basis the Amazon rainforest loses 19 square kilometers of forest. Not only does the Amazon provide many ecological benefits, it is also said to be the worlds medical chest. There are cancer fighting drugs that come from the rainforest. Today only 1% of plants in the Amazon are tested for medical benefits.
The video discusses the survival of land species as well as aquatic species in the dry season. The Brazilian Mata-Mata is another deadly creature found in the Amazon River. Its name means to kill. Although there is many frightening things able the Amazon, there are also many beautiful things occurring, such as the mating of the Amazon River dolphin occurring in the dry season. They call for their mates by throwing around a piece of driftwood in order to bring attraction to them. The dry season allows for many species to thrive when they otherwise could not. Many species such as turtle, lay their eggs during the dry season. The Amazon River otter also benefits from the dry season. They use the dry area to make a home for their babies to grow in. These species have made adaptions towards the changes that occur in the Amazon rainforest, however they have not adapted to the changes humans are causes towards our environment which is directly harming the species that live there.