Destroyed people. Scientists find that about 40% of Earth’s “green lungs” are affected in the Amazon

Scientists tirelessly warn that deforestation of the Amazon rainforest poses a major threat to Earth’s climate. However, the Daily Mail writes that the planet’s “green lungs” also suffer from a lesser-known process called “decay.”

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In a new study, researchers from the University of East Anglia and the University of Lancaster examined the effects of a “breakdown” process, including:

• deforestation;
• mining;
• fires;
• road widening;
• other human activities that harm the environment.

Scientists have discovered that 38% of what remains of the Amazon rainforest has been destroyed by humans in one way or another – much more than previously thought. Note that the new study was done following the appointment of new Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who promised to provide better protection to the Earth’s “green lungs”.

During the study, the scientists used satellite images and scientific studies of changes in the region from 2001 to 2018. Co-author of the study, Dr. According to Rachel Carmenta, the Amazon degradation process is poorly understood, but it benefits the few and harms the majority.

Note that the Amazon spans 5.4 square kilometers and is located in eight countries:

1. Brazil;
2. Bolivia;
3. Peru;
4. Ecuador;
5. Colombia;
6. Venezuelan;
7. Guyana;
8. Suriname.

However, much of the Amazon is still within the borders of Brazil – about 60% – as a result, much of the work of preserving the Earth’s “green lungs” falls on this particular country’s shoulders.

The scientists note that the degradation process should not be confused with deforestation, which involves the complete removal of forest cover and the establishment of a new land use. At the same time, the process of deforestation can cause forests to lose all trees, but this land is not used for any further processing.

Either way, in both cases, the planet’s “green lungs” lose their ability to capture carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Trees actually play an important role in the fight against climate change as active “carbon sinks”.

Scientists analyzed satellite data and concluded that Earth’s “green lungs” in the Amazon are deteriorating due to four key factors:

1. Forest fires;
2. selective openings;
3. severe drought;
4. “edge effect”, changes that occur in adjacent areas.

The authors of the study propose creating a system to monitor deforestation and prevent and combat illegal logging. In addition, the researchers propose the concept of “smart forests”, which involves the use of data collection sensors to improve environmental quality.

Previously Focus He wrote in the Amazon that a quarter of the Earth’s “green lungs” had been destroyed.