Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print Workshop assesses interactions between climate, forests and land use in the Amazon Basin

Workshop assesses interactions between climate, forests and land use in the Amazon Basin

March 13, 2008

On February 25 and 26, over 50 scientists gathered for a two-day workshop in Manaus, Brazil, to discuss the current state of knowledge on the feedbacks between deforestation and climate in the Amazon and what research is required to avoid catastrophic change. Collaborators from the Woods Hole Research Center, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Duke University, Instituto de Pesquisa Ambiental da Amazônia, Harvard University, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Oxford University, University of Edinburgh, The United Kingdom Meteorology Office and the Brazilian center for weather forecasting and climate studies (CPTEC) participated.

Professor Virgilio Viana, Secretary of Environment and Sustainable Development of Amazonas State, Brazil, opened the workshop with comments on the visionary program of the Amazonas State Government. Viana emphasized that Amazonas has become a model of sustainable, forest-based development by replacing the previous paradigm, which assumed that forests were nothing but unproductive land, with the understanding that forests are worth more standing than cut.




The workshop focused on how to reduce the risk of a vicious cycle of forest impoverishment in which forest clearing and degradation foster drought and further degradation. Dan Nepstad, a senior scientist at the Woods Hole Research Center acknowledged that forest die-back has already begun, noting that uncontrolled fires from poor farming practices were degrading large swaths of the southern Amazon and making them susceptible to further fires and drought. However, he also emphasized that it is a time of hope because large-scale conservation is gaining momentum, driven by the Brazilian government, which is implementing its "Amazon Region Protected Area" program to greatly expand and police protected areas and by commodities markets (soy, beef, ethanol), which are driving compliance with environmental and social legislation by farmers.

Throughout the workshop, scientists from the collaborating institutions gave short presentations of their current research, including work on the latest developments in the sophisticated computer programs required to address the fundamental questions of Amazonian ecological integrity and recent insights into the ways in which vegetation play an important role in the climate of the Amazon and the globe. Several important conclusions emerged from these talks and discussions: 1) clearing and forest fragmentation decreases local rainfall but only after a threshold of 100s km2 is deforested; 2) large scale deforestation of greater than 100,000 km2 appears to significantly decrease rainfall, not only where deforestation occurs, but over forested regions throughout the Amazon; and 3) the response of the river flow to deforestation is complicated and leads to unexpected results with decreased river flow in some streams and increased river flow in others depending on how much and where deforestation takes place.

Carlos Nobre, director of CPTEC, gave the closing address in which he emphasized the importance of focused investment in education and research to address this global issue. He outlined a program an ideal program that would create a Brazilian national program on Amazon ecology modeled after a one that has made Brazil one of the world leaders in the aerospace industry.

Michael Coe, an associate scientist at the Woods Hole Research Center and one of the workshop organizers, summarized, "This workshop was important because it brought together conservation organizations, scientists and policy makers. The outcomes of this workshop will help us develop a blueprint for our research efforts in the coming years on what may be one of the most important environmental questions: What amount and location of forest is required to guarantee a healthy environment" This meeting will also help conservations organizations prepare for the future because as the results in this meeting showed, unfettered deforestation will have strong impacts on the health of the entire Amazon and local conservation efforts will result in significant returns."

Woods Hole Research Center



Related Amazon Basin Current Events and Amazon Basin News Articles Amazon Basin Current Events and Amazon Basin News RSS Amazon Basin Current Events and Amazon Basin News RSS
Ancient drought and rapid cooling drastically altered climate
Two abrupt and drastic climate events, 700 years apart and more than 45 centuries ago, are teasing scientists who are now trying to use ancient records to predict future world climate.

Amazon conservation policy working in Brazil, MSU-led study finds
Contrary to common belief, Brazil's policy of protecting portions of the Amazonian forest from development is capable of buffering the Amazon from climate change, according to a new study led by Michigan State University researchers.

Warriors do not always get the girl
Aggressive, vengeful behavior of individuals in some South American groups has been considered the means for men to obtain more wives and more children, but an international team of anthropologists working in Ecuador among the Waorani show that sometimes the macho guy does not do better.

U.N. Climate Change Conference considers ancient soil replenishment technique in battle against global warming
Former inhabitants of the Amazon Basin enriched their fields with charred organic materials-biochar-and transformed one of the earth's most infertile soils into one of the most productive.

Extinction most likely for rare trees in the Amazon rainforest
Common tree species in the Amazon will survive even grim scenarios of deforestation and road-building, but rare trees could suffer extinction rates of up to 50 percent, predict Smithsonian scientists and colleagues in the Aug. 12 issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.

Study suggests past climate changes may have promoted the formation of new species in the Amazon
The results of a new study suggest that past climate changes and sea level fluctuations may have promoted the formation of new species in the Amazon region of South America.

Scientists find new clues to explain Amazonian biodiversity
Ice age climate change and ancient flooding-but not barriers created by rivers-may have promoted the evolution of new insect species in the Amazon region of South America, a new study suggests.

Conservation of freshwater fish biodiversity: a challenge for the countries of the South
Humans have regularly been introducing exotic species into natural environments in order to provide for their nutritional necessities or meet less indispensable purposes such as horticulture, fishing or hunting.

New study finds biodiversity conservation secures ecosystem services for people
Healthy ecosystems that provide people with essential natural goods and services often overlap with regions rich in biological diversity, underscoring that conserving one also protects the other, according to a new study.

Woods Hole Research Center debuts new image mosaic that will strengthen global forest monitoring
Much of the discussion at the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali, Indonesia, will focus on monitoring tropical deforestation and the critical role that remote sensing systems will play in the development of REDD (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) mechanisms - policies designed to compensate rainforest nations for avoiding deforestation.
More Amazon Basin Current Events and Amazon Basin News Articles
Clifford Brown And Max Roach At Basin Street

Clifford Brown And Max Roach At Basin Street
Max Roach (Primary Contributor)



Amazon Basin (Vanishing Cultures)

Amazon Basin (Vanishing Cultures)
by Jan Reynolds (Author)

Tuwenowa lives in the heart of the Amazon River Basin, home to the largest tropical rain forest in the world. For Yanomama people such as Tuwenowa and his family, the jungle provides everything they need-from thatching for their huts to the tropical fruits, animals, and fish they eat.

The rainforest is the birthplace of the centuries-old traditions of Yanomama culture. The people celebrate life with songs of thanks and mark death with special rituals. By learning these customs from his father, a tribal shaman, Tuwenowa hopes to uphold the Yanomama way of life as he grows up.


Superior Tools Telescoping Basin Wrench

Superior Tools Telescoping Basin Wrench
by Superior Tool Company

Telescoping Basin Wrench, Designed For Use Under Sinks & Other Tight Quarters, Spring Loaded Jaw For 1 Hand Ratcheting, Telescoping Shank Quickly Adjust For Lengths From 10" To 17", Clamshell Packaging, Made In USA.

KOHLER K-6066-ST Bottom Basin Rack, Stainless Steel

KOHLER K-6066-ST Bottom Basin Rack, Stainless Steel
by KOHLER

Kohler K-6066 Bottom Basin Rack, Stainless SteelEnhancing the functionality of KOHLER; kitchen sinks, bottom basin racks custom fit neatly into the bottom of your sink basin. This bottom basin rack helps cushion fragile dishes and protects the sink surface from scratches.Kohler K-6066 Bottom Basin Rack, Stainless Steel Features:; Create a workstation for quick and easy sink tasks; For use in K-6626-6U kitchen sink (right basin)

Peggy at Basin Street East

Peggy at Basin Street East
by Peggy Lee

Subtitled - The Unreleased Show - Closing Night February 8, 1961, New York City. This album is the entire show, 14 tracks, first time released. Included are pictures of the show and notes from the August Nat Hentoff. Collectors' Choice Music.

Brazil: On the River of Shamans

Brazil: On the River of Shamans
Also With: Travel Channel (Producer)



High Adventure Deep in  the Amazon Basin of Ecuador

High Adventure Deep in the Amazon Basin of Ecuador
Also With: Darren Van Soye (Producer)

Take an adventure-packed look at the wild places of Ecuador. Visit Parque Nacional Cotopaxi, Parque Nacional Yasuni as well as the wetlands that surround the Lower Rio Napo deep within the Amazon Basin. Examine rare footage of pocket monkeys, giant vultures, electric-blue-colored kingfishers, toucans and scarlet macaws.What you will see:* Take a four-wheel drive the foot of the picturesque Cotopaxi Volcano * Experience daily life on the Lower Rio Napo, a tributary of the mighty Amazon River* Discover the jungle floor at night with a nightshot-equipped video camera* Rise above in a 110 ft. high forest canopy* Take a relaxing cruise in a dugout canoe surrounded by jungle life* Witness the bewildering daily habits of wild parrots in the Parque Nacional Yasuni

This product is...

Calvin Klein Men's Matrix Trunk,Basin Zebra,Medium

Calvin Klein Men's Matrix Trunk,Basin Zebra,Medium
by Calvin Klein

Updated screen prints put a fresh spin on a comfortable, classic trunk.

Ridgid 31180 1-1/4-Inch-to-2-1/2-Inch Capacity 10-Inch-to-17-Inch Heavy Duty Telescoping Basin Wrench

Ridgid 31180 1-1/4-Inch-to-2-1/2-Inch Capacity 10-Inch-to-17-Inch Heavy Duty Telescoping Basin Wrench
by Ridgid

Basin Wrenches - Plumbing Tools & Brushes Style: Telescoping Overall Length: 10-17 Minimum Pipe Capacity: 1-1/4 Maximum Pipe Capacity: 2-1/2 Model Number: 1019

El Amaneser

El Amaneser
by Gozlem Gazetecilik Basin Ve Ya

El Amaneser contains articles on all subjects pertaining to the Sephardic culture, language, music and traditions, anecdotes, poems, recipes, and interviews.

© 2009 BrightSurf.com